The Girl Behind the Light

Chapter One: The First Encounters

August 12, 20-

I woke up this morning with sore pain in my back and abdomen. It's probably because I overworked myself yesterday, but I also should've done some stretching before I went to bed like our marching tech told us. [Good Ol' Andy Silverman was a miracle worker last year for our marching band. He led us to first place overall in our division. We compete in an organization called the America Marching Band Organization, or AMBO for short. It contains six divisions plus one open class division. Our band last year was in Division 3, and this year we're in Division 4. It's supposedly the best marching organization in the country as it contains bands from all around the country, not just locally. Fountain Valley for a while has been a joke in AMBO due to its consistent low placing for over 7 years. Last year was a big one for us, and Andy was a big key to our success. With our field show called "Colors of Water", we defined the odds and expectations that were given to us. Andy told us constantly that the key to winning was to march in time because most bands can't do it together as a group. He drove that concept into our young adolescent heads and helped us reach our true potential.] I love him and all, but sometimes I feel like he pushes us too hard. At least it's better than struggling to play music for two hours. [Our band director Mr. Filipe was nearing his last years and was ready to retire, and it shows in the way he teaches. We still love him regardless.] Oh well, I chose to do this for a reason.

Band camp is nearing its end though, and the school year is nearing its start, which means we'll be competing soon. Our show "Time Heals Everything" was one that got everyone excited when they heard the music for it, and it's been fun to watch us learn it. Today is the day we should finish learning two-thirds of our show. We got through the opener super quickly because of the expectations that were given to us. Of course, it still needs to be cleaned up a bit but we've pretty much learned our drill already. I'm excited to perform it for our parent preview this Friday, and I know Tori is too. She's been working super hard to help her children prepare for this, and knowing how amazing she is, I know she'll do just fine helping her fellow peers out. Anyways, enough with the ranting, it's time to go to practice.

We're on break now, and of course, I'm already winded after just stretching and conditioning. My stamina is still much improved from what it used to be though. As I'm heaving in boat-loads of breaths, I look over at Tori, who is still in stretching block with the guard. She looked really freaking beautiful and I wanted nothing but go hug her really quick, although I am sweaty and that would be kind of gross to do to her. I can't help the fact that she has the beauty that she does, but sometimes I wonder if I think too highly of her looks because I love her. As I was writing this though, Dillon came to me.

"You're doing just fine Derek. Don't worry man, I'm telling you that once you perform the show for the first time this year, you won't be as tired." I was wondering if he was just required to say that because he was the section leader, but I know that probably wasn't the case. Regardless, I say thank you and continue gulping down water.

Lunchtime came by, and as always I'm hanging out with Tori and her friend Carol. We walked over to the convenience store nearby and I bought my bag of chips and some canned tea [I call it the "Value Meal" for band camp]. We walked back to the school and had our meal just as always. Today, in general, has just felt so average when I compared it to all the other days of band camp. The only difference was that we needed to stay late today to finish the rest of the ballad and try to clean up certain drill spots throughout the show. With our normal hours being from 10-6, we would probably be here until 8. It will probably be dark by then, but we didn't fight them on that decision.

We did our full run today, and like Dillon told me earlier I wasn't as tired as I usually am, but that may be because our show isn't done yet. Regardless, it's almost 8. We're just chilling in the band room right now, waiting for announcements from Filipe. Tori is next to me trying to mess me up as I write. This is Tori I stole his Journal. Before I give this back to him, I just have to say that he is a nerd :p but he's my nerd. You better not erase this Derek! Welp, she stole it successfully. I like the fact that she wrote an emoji though. You can tell she's a fun one to hang out with.