Glory Days

Chapter 11: Drum Line

-Rylee-

I walk into the band room after school for the first day of drum line. Cori, one of the drum majors from marching band, hands me a commitment packet. I head to my usual spot near the snare and begin to fill out the paperwork.

"Everyone take a seat please." Ms. E says, standing in the front of the band room. Ms. E is the new drum line director this year. Someone pulls up a chair next to me, I look over and its Henry.

"You're doing drumline?" I whisper as Ms. E begins to talk about the season.

"Yes, I am. Why else would I be here?" He says and smirks. I turn back to Ms. E and she explains the show. The theme is fire and water. She shows a rough draft of what the marching will look like.

"Ok, who is doing what instrument?" She says and looks around the room. There are about 30 people here, that's a good size. "Who is doing base?"

"We are." Three senior boys raise their hands. She calls out other drums and people raise their hands.

"What about the snares?"

"We are." I say as Henry and I raise our hands. Everyone turns and looks at us, eyes wide open.

"Great, and front ensemble?" Ms E continues.

"Why'd they all look at us?" Henry whispers.

"Well, last year I was the quiet girl that did snare with two seniors, so I guess they are surprised I even talked. And they're probably surprised that you're here." I whisper.

"Well, I'm here. And I'm playing snare." He says. "Um, can you teach me how to march with it, though?"

"Ms. E will explain, she wants to use a different style of marching than last year so we all have to learn anyway." I tell him.

"This week we will focuse on the music. Once we know the music we can begin to march, using jazz walking." Ms. E says. Some groan, jazz walking is a hard version of marching, but if done correctly it looks very clean. I look over at Henry as if to say I told you so. He rolls his eyes. "I know you may not like jazz walking, but it will add to the theme."

"What do the hoodies look like this year." Reagan asks. I was waiting for someone to ask that. If there's one thing teenagers care about, it's their high school gear.

"We get hoodies?" Henry whispers to me.

"If you ask me one more question, I'm going to kick you out of here." I say.

"The hoodies will have flames on the sides and say Lakewood Secondary Drumline on the front. Then on the back you can customize your name. There is an order form in your packet. Speaking of packets, I need them filled out and turned in by the end of this week. The hoodies will be ordered next Monday and should arrive in a month. Now, lets try out this music."

Cori hands out the sheet and we get out our drums. After an hour of trying out the music, Ms. E tells us that we sounds pretty good. I'm excited for the season, I love the theme and the music is so much fun. I put the extra snare back in the locker and walk over to henry, who is leaning against the wall.

"This was fun, I think I'm really going to like drumline." He says to me.

"Really?" I ask. He nods his head. "Well good, because you're stuck now. I can't do this alone."

"Yeah, you definitely need me."

"I wouldn't say definitely."

"You sure? This music is not easy."

"I wouldn't say its hard, do you think it's hard?"

"No, I wouldn't say it's hard." Henry says. I look around the room and realize we are the only ones left in the room.

"When you two are done cleaning let me know so I can lock the band room." Ms. E says.

"We should um, we should go." I say and grab my bag and we walk out.

"So, are you looking forward to seeing me more each week?" Henry asks.

"Um, I have mixed feelings. Spend more time with an egotistical boy that has talent, not horrible I guess." Wait... was that a complement?

"I have talent?" He asks and raises an eyebrow. Shoot!

"Um, a little." I say. I start to blush. "That's my dad's car, see you Wednesday in class and after school I guess."

"See you then, Rye." He says and laughs. I roll my eyes.

"Who was that?" My dad asks as I get in the car.

"Oh, that's Henry. He's playing snare for drumline." I tell him.

"Ah, is he the one that you are always competing against in class?" My dad asks and smiles.

"Yeah, that's him." I say and smile a bit. "That's him..."