The Jerk Next Door

Chapter 16: Like?

Maksean

The crowd roars as we march off the field. Sweat is lined up at our foreheads meeting the warmth from our shakos despite the cooler weather. My heart was still racing from the closer and the very fast paced percussion solo. We played it through as best as we could, and the only noticeable mistake being the basses little grove speeding up at one point, but they were quick to correct. I tapped the marching out beat on my snare as I smile at Luka who is trying to think about this being his last competition.

Once we march all the way out of the stadium, I stop tapping and take my snare off. It wasn't long before Daniela was in front of us with her clarinet and another big yet tired smile. Her arms wrapped around Luka who just took off his tenors. She whispered something in his ear and he simply allowed his expression to turn soft. She knew he was a little sad about this being his last time, but I knew it wouldn't take long for Dani to make him smile. I left the two of them there in their little moment to go change out of my uniform and into some more comfortable pants and hoodie. I knew the other two would have to stay in their uniform for when the time for awards came so I didn't even bother them.

I was greeted with smiles from the underclassmen when I stepped on the bus. The boys were not phased by me seeing them shirtless. This bus was only for drumline and anyone with permission to help move assemble instruments. Only three girls are even on the bus. Me, obviously due to being on the drumline, Daniela, since she was one of the few allowed to move the expensive equipment, and the drum major, who was only on our bus to take roll since Luka wasn't mature enough.

I went to the back of the bus that was covered in the belongings of my two friends and my own. I sat down and took my bibbers off and quickly slipped my athletic shorts off trying my best not to fall before tugging on some jeans that were just baggy enough to not get stuck to the last bit of sweat that has yet to be wiped away due to the cold wind. Switching my dinkles in favor of my converse, I hear the boys in the front whispering about a non band kid in the band lot. Deciding that they were not yet being too loud and distracting, I leave them be. I searched in my bag for my hoodie only to find the leather jacket Asher gave me last night.

Staring at the warm cloth in my hand I debate on wearing not wanting to make it smell bad. I still smell like I just got down running around a football field, which I did. Looking around, I found Dani's bag and quickly went through it in search of any kind of perfume. The familiar yellow bottle that I kept in her bag due to my forgetfulness came into view. Sighing, I spray the inside of my shirt making sure no one was near in fear of causing some asthma to kick in. I take the time to open my window despite knowing that I didn't spray enough to really cause anything bad. As I stood looking out at the many kids rushing around, I spotted two sights that made me smile. One being the sight of my best friend and Luka acting cute. And the other being the reason for the earlier whispers. The non band student stood there in the middle of the rush of students in a hurry to get to the concession stands or to the stadium to watch the rest of the schools perform. The boy's head was moving around as if searching for something. Or someone. Asher Smith. The very same boy I was talking about only a few hours ago, was standing right in between the buses. His light brown hair is in its natural floof and gently swaying with the gentle wind. He was dressed in a pair of blue jeans and long sleeve baseball shirt with his number and name on the back. The smallest frown was placed upon his lips that were muttering something over and over again as he stood above the crowd with the help of his tall statue.

Why? How? When?

My thoughts were snapped out of my mind the second said boy turned his head enough to make direct eye contact with me. The small frown was morphed into a smug smile the second he noticed me. He lifted his arm to wave at me before moving his sneaker covered feet towards the front of my bus.