Lucy didn’t mean to, but she had brought down the excitement level of the bus considerably and decided belatedly it was probably better if she just kept her mouth shut. She slunk back in her seat and thought about what had happened. She was elated her Line had won, but wondered how it would be seeing Sam tomorrow. She didn’t want to gloat, because if the situation was reversed, as it easily could be, she would want him to go easy on her.
Nevada nudged her and asked, “What’s up, Ms. Quiet?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking about how great it was out there on the field tonight.”
Nevada nodded in agreement, and then said, “You know, Homecoming is only two weeks away. Next week a competition, but the week after that, we’ll get to have a good time away from the field.”
“You won’t even recognize me. My dress is that awesome.”
Earlier in the summer Lucy had stumbled across what she had dubbed the Rene Russo dress. It looked very similar to the dress Rene had worn in the Thomas Crown Affair, except it was shorter. Lucy knew she was going to turn some heads with it. After all, she was in great shape from all the marching, had an overall toned look courtesy of her big bass drum, and was tanned from all of the after school practices.
Nevada sized her up in a very seductive way and then promptly ruined the moment by asking, “So, are you going to South’s Homecoming too?”
Lucy answered almost honestly, “Yes, actually I am.”
With the captain of South’s drumline…
Nevada grumpily turned away and crossed his arms, “I wish you would just make up your mind already.”
In the past week or two, Nevada had become increasingly unhappy with the fact she was dating someone else and was constantly pressuring Lucy to exclusively date him and not the mystery man from South.
“I seriously wish you wouldn’t pressure me. I’ve told you, if you wanted to date someone else you could. We’re not exclusive.”
Nevada was a guy, and he had, like most drummers, a lot of pride. He replied, “Maybe I will.”
This conversation was not the way Lucy wanted things to go. She was so happy with the arrangement she had, and even though she knew it was unfair, had hoped it would last a few weeks longer. Strangely, the thought of Nevada dating someone else wasn’t as terrible as she thought it would be. However, Lucy was a drummer too, and just as proud, so she answered, “Maybe you should.”
They didn’t say anything to each other the entire drive home.
After putting her bass drum away, Lucy looked for Nevada, but there was no sign of him. Maybe their conversation was an indication this whole crazy ride was about to end. Lucy tried to remind herself of the fun weeks leading up to now, but the situation was getting entirely too stressful.
The following afternoon Lucy was still in a foul mood. She had imagined going to the Homecomings with the great guys she was dating and having a kick ass time at both. As she drove over to his house, Lucy hoped Sam wasn’t in a bad mood from the loss to Forrest Hills. Sam met her at the door and led her downstairs to his basement.
Lucy said neutrally, “I couldn’t believe how close our scores were.”
“Yeah.”
“I wonder what our tapes will say.”
“I don’t know.”
Lucy wasn’t sure where to go next. Obviously, Sam was in a bad mood.
“Lucy, it was really tough seeing you yesterday with Nevada.”
Lucy let out a sigh of relief; she thought it was the competition was bringing him down, and asked, “Yeah?”
“I thought I could handle you dating someone else, but now I’m not sure if I can.”
Lucy didn’t say anything. She had been dreading this day, but knew it wasn’t fair to either of them. Being exclusive was kind of an all or nothing thing. Sam took her hands and said, “So, I know I’m not the easier decision, but I think you and I really have something. I don’t want to just see you one day a week. I want to be your full time boyfriend. Even if we can’t ride on the bus together or hang out at school, I don’t want you doing those things with anyone else but me. I don't want to give you a time limit to make your decision, but you've had over a month of dating both of us to figure it out. So, hopefully soon you will, because I don't want to have to make the decision easy for you."
Lucy nodded, and, needing some space, said quietly, “I’ll have to think about it. Listen Sam, I have to go home and catch up on all the studying I didn’t do yesterday.”
The South senior nodded and watched her leave. Lucy was halfway up the stairs, when Sam crossed the room and swept Lucy into a passionate kiss. He kissed her soundly for a few minutes before letting her go, saying huskily, “I hope that helps you make your decision.”
* * *
CHAPTER ELEVEN: MIND MADE UP
Lucy stumbled out to her car, breathless from Sam’s kisses.
A girl should get a warning before a kiss like that!
The boy can kiss, but I don’t think it’s entirely fair to base who you chose on who can kiss the best.
So, how about a new solution, how about I drop out of school and transferring to somewhere where no one knows me?
Wah, wah! Listen to yourself, you have your choice of two hot boys and you’re getting all melodramatic about it.
Thinking she might feel better if she wrote out her feelings, Lucy got home and pulled out her diary.
Dear Diary,
AHHHHHH! Looking back through the entries in this thing I remember myself from last year and how all I wanted in the whole world was a boyfriend. I wished and wished and look where it got me. I really only just wanted one. Just one boyfriend to take me to Homecoming and bring me flowers and all that crap. Just one boyfriend to hold my hand and call me at night and tell me I was beautiful.
But what did I get? Two!!
I know, poor me, but now it’s time to make the decision and I simply don’t want to do it. I really just want to keep my life on hold. They are so different, Sam and Nevada. After wanting Nevada for so long, I won’t lie that I thought it was going to be different dating him. It’s not that he’s still the super hottie that he always was, it’s just there’s more of a connection with Sam. But how can that be? I only get to see him for a few precious hours a week. He’s always sending me cute messages and when we are together it’s just indescribable. Why can’t I like Nevada more?!?!? I liked him for SO LONG. What’s wrong with me? Everyone tells me how cute we look together, but honestly, I don’t know…
The worst part is I can’t even bring any help in. I am desperate for another opinion but don’t trust the girls not to tell someone. Who would they tell me to choose? Nevada? Sam? Neither? They don’t know Sam like I do. f they think Nevada and I are happy, I just wish they could see me and Sam together.
Lucy looked at the page and put her pen down. She wanted so badly to make the easy decision. But her heart was leaning in another direction altogether. Sam had liked her as herself (or mostly herself) from the first time he met her. Something had clicked that day in the theater. She continued writing.
With Nevada, I’ve been right in front of him for two years. What changed to make him like me? Or was it just the fact he was just between girlfriends at the beginning of the season and I was the convenient option? Yes, we have chemistry, but is that enough? And is it more chemistry than I have with Sam? And if I do choose Sam, how will the fallout of breaking up with Nevada affect me and the rest of the Line?
Lucy knew it was really none of their business, but since the drumline was just a big strange incestuous family anyway, they would all have an opinion. She cringed to think what they would all think if they all knew she was dating the opposing line’s captain. The reputation and friendships she had worked so hard on would definitely be put in jeopardy. Picking up her pen once again, she began writing.
Sam is obviously ready to put a lot on the line (pun intended) by dating me. He would have to deal with the fallout from his own Line as well. Doesn’t that prove anything? What would Neva
da do if this situation was reversed? I get that Sam doesn’t care as much about his reputation as Nevada does. I guess we’ll see how this week plays out.
Melodramatically yours,
Lucy
A pensive Lucy walked into percussion class on Monday, noting the good mood from Saturday was still in effect. During the first part of class the drummers sat and listened to the judges tapes from the competition. They were mostly good comments with some specific spots for each section to work on. Overall, Jerm was very happy with his Line’s performance. As the final tape came to a finish, he got up and addressed the group, “Now listen, guys, we have to keep it up, because S.W. is going to be there again this weekend and it’s going to be just as close. During sectionals I need everyone to really concentrate on their part of the show. Do what you can to be more uniform and sound like one drum. Add cool visuals, do whatever it takes to make your part better. I’ll see everyone after school.”
Lucy walked to her next class. She was hurt, but not surprised when Nevada didn’t join her.
After school, sectionals were a great distraction for Lucy. Being on the bass line was different than any of the other sections. It was not about sounding like one drum, but really listening and finding your distinct place within the five notes. In addition to perfecting their part, the boys on the bass line were a great diversion from the decision she had made and needed to execute. Somewhere during the day, between Nevada’s ignoring her and thinking about what she really wanted, Lucy figured out who she wanted to exclusively date.
Too soon, sectionals were over and the Line was putting their instruments away. Lucy looked for a moment to get Nevada’s attention, but he had somehow managed to get out of the percussion room without her seeing. She found herself running out to catch Nevada at his car.
She shouted, “Nevada!”
He turned around and answered, “Yes?”
Lucy, out of breath, caught up to him and panted, “I’ve made a decision about the whole exclusive thing.”
That statement definitely got his attention. He crossed his arms and asked, “And?”
Lucy gulped and the words just started pouring out, “Well, the thing is—”
Nevada had delivered this line enough times to know what was coming; his heart sank, but he toughed up, and answered, “Listen. I get it. Apparently this guy at South is worth throwing away all we did and had—” Nevada’s voice did a very uncharacteristic crack but he pulled it together to say goodbye, “So, anyway, I hope he’s worth it. Bye, Lucy.”
Nevada got in his car, slamming the door.
Lucy didn’t make a move to stop him and blinked rapidly. She didn’t know how she pictured the conversation going, but she never expected this outcome. She wanted to remain friends with Nevada and obviously that outcome wasn’t going to be in the cards for a while. Watched his car drive away, Lucy commented, “I guess that means you’re not going to be my date to Homecoming.”
While she knew Nevada was completely justified in wanting his space, this fact was somehow more depressing than anything else. Having missed out on the social event of the fall semester for both her freshman and sophomore years, Lucy had so desperately wanted to simply go with a boy that liked her and dress up and have a good time. Trying to convince herself she could somehow smuggle Sam in without anyone knowing, she moped over to her car. Tom was parked next to her and loading his quints into his mini-van. He had been taking them home as much as possible to practice for the upcoming individual competitions at Indoor. Noting his friend’s mood, he asked, “Hey Luce – what’s wrong?”
“Oh Tom,” was all Lucy managed to get out before she broke down in tears. She sat down heavily on the curb and sniffled loudly. Tom had two sisters of his own and knew this might take awhile. He sat down next to Lucy and put his arm around her, rubbing her back as she cried. As the tears subsided, Tom smiled and commented, “That’s my girl. Now, Lucy, what in the hell is wrong with you? All I could get out of your incoherent sobbing was something about Nevada and Sam? You weren’t making a lot of sense.”
“Promise you’ll keep this to yourself?”
“You got it.”
Lucy took a deep breath, blew her nose, and said, “Here’s the thing. Before school started, I met this great guy and it turns out this great guy just so happens to be the captain of South’s drumline. At the same time, Nevada finally decides he likes me and so I date the two guys the same time. Both want me to date them exclusively. So I picked one.”
Tom sat a moment, not saying anything. Lucy was worried. It wasn’t like Tom to be quiet for this long. Tapping his hands on his knee in thought, he finally replied, “Well, Luce, you probably already know this, but when this story all gets out, Jerm is actually going to kill you. And if you didn’t tell Nevada who exactly you were with…well, I just hope he never finds out.”
Lucy threw up her hands and answered, “I know, I know! I hated hurting Nevada and can you imagine how crushed he would’ve been I told him, ‘Oh Nevada, by the way, you’re great and all, but I like the S.W. captain better than you?'”
“You can’t pick who you like, but you should’ve just been honest from the beginning.” Tom said.
“I know that now,” said Lucy quietly.
Tom was quiet for a minute and then he started laughing hysterically. Lucy was outraged and demanded, “What are you laughing at?! I’ve been crying my heart out over here!”
“I was just thinking that only you, Lucy Karate, could get herself into this kind of mess.”
“Thanks, Tom, you’re a real buddy.” Lucy thought a moment and then asked, “So, you really don’t care that I’m dating our rival Line’s captain?”
“So, I know you’ve wanted to date someone for a long time, but I guess I’d have to see you two together to make sure he was good enough for you. However, if it was worth breaking up with Nevada over and possibly crossing the Line over, he must be a pretty cool dude.”
“You don’t know how much that means to me.”
Tom got up and pulled his friend with him, and asked, “So, we’re all good here?”
“Yes. I probably don’t say it enough, but thanks for always being there for me.”
“That’s what friends are for.” Tom returned her smile and got in his car.
Feeling better, Lucy got in her own vehicle and called Sam, who answered on the first ring, “Hey you, what’s up? We just got done with practice.”
“Wow, you’re really working everyone late. We finished a half hour ago.”
“Yeah, well there’s this tough drumline with a really hot bass drum and we have to beat them this weekend.”
Lucy grinned at the compliment and said, “I’ll bet. Listen, do you think we could meet up tonight?”
“Sure. Since I bet you’re as hot and smelly as I am, want to catch a late breakfast at WaHo?”
“The most important meal of the day? How could I miss it? I’ll meet you there in a few.”
“No primping or changing – I want to see what Forrest Hills looks like after a practice.”
“I promise you’ll get me just as I am. Believe me, I’m too tired to make an effort.”
“See you there.”
En route, Lucy called her parents to let them know she wouldn’t be home for dinner. Pulling into the familiar parking lot, her emotions were pretty much shot when she pulled up to Waffle House. Not seeing Sam’s PT Cruiser, she went in and got a table in the back. Just when she thought Sam wasn’t going to show, he walked up. Green eyes glanced up to see the snare drummer’s familiar tall, muscular frame in a fitted white shirt make his way through the restaurant towards her. At that moment, Lucy knew she made the right decision. Her face lit up and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Her smile was reflected in Sam’s face. She leaped up to hug him. After a strong (and entirely necessary) hug, Sam released Lucy and took a step back to look at her, commenting, “You know, I never get a chance to see how you look at practice,” Sam let out a low whistle, “It’s
no wonder you’re the sweetheart of Forrest Hills’s drumline.”
Lucy was wearing gray cheerleader shorts rolled up and her drumline shirt from last year with Adidas flip flops. Her hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail and tucked behind a visor. Lucy looked down at herself and then back at Sam, asking skeptically, “You sure you haven’t been spending too much time in the sun?”
“I just like what I see, that’s all,” Sam’s serious voice betrayed the initial light comment as they slid into the back booth.
Lucy picked up on it, of course. Just like Nevada, the South senior wanted to know what her decision was. Lucy didn’t want to delay her response, and said, “So Sam, you’re probably wondering why I called you.”
“You missed me so much from yesterday that you just couldn’t take it and had to see me?” Sam’s voice sounded a little deeper than usual; obviously he thought Lucy had brought him here to break up with him.
“Well, I always miss you, but Sam, I thought a lot about what you said and—”
Sam interrupted, “I never should’ve forced you to make a decision. Obviously, I wasn’t going to get picked.” He continued rambling, “I mean, why would you choose the guy you never see and the captain of your rival drumline?”
Lucy shook her head and continued, “Hmm, that’s weird, because even after all those things, I still did pick you.”
Sam’s ears must’ve not been working; his mind was still wondering why he had ever forced Lucy to choose between him and Nevada, so he asked, “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“I pick you, Sam Powell.”
Sam whooped and all the restaurant patrons turned around to give the back corner booth a strange look. Sam uncharacteristically flushed and asked, “Why?”
The Line Page 9
