Keeping in Line

by Courtney Brandt

  “Sure thing, J.D,” Tony said proudly.

  Drew was not surprised when he saw J.D. waiting at his car that evening after practice. The drum major had to wipe the smile from his face before J.D. knew something was up. Dumping his book bag in the trunk, he asked gruffly, “Can I help you?”

  J.D. crossed his arms and said, “I hear you’re interested in someone in my section.”

  “Who told you that?”

  “So it’s true? I don’t hear you denying anything.”

  Drew shrugged and responded, “Well, sort of.”

  “And you want to ask her to Homecoming?” Given there were only three young women in the entire section, there was no need to mention the “her” by name.

  Drew kicked a tire and said, “I’m going to kill—”

  J.D. grinned evilly, “Listen, don’t ask how I know. I have my sources. I was wondering if you wanted to make a bit of a side bet on the situation?”

  “I don’t like the sound of this…”

  “Trust me, Bronwyn never has to know. Just a gentleman’s wager.”

  “That’s pretty low, J.D., even for you.”

  “She won’t find out. Anyway, what do you care? You’ll be at college next year and not worried about some pathetic high school girl.”

  Drew waited a moment before asking, “Alright, I’ll consider it. What are the odds?”

  “She says yes…I’ll personally pay for your entire ‘delightful’ Homecoming evening together.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “She says no…you admit personally to my section that you have no leadership abilities or any sort of dominance over them.”

  “Isn’t it bad enough that she will say no?”

  “Nope.”

  Drew scuffed his shoe on the pavement, “Let me think about the terms. In the mean time, do not tell anyone the plan. If I find out that Bronwyn or anyone else in your section knows…everything is off. Comprende?”

  “Yeah, just don’t keep me waiting.” J.D. walked off towards his own car.

  As soon as the snare player was out of sight, Drew called Bronwyn and hoped she was home. When he heard her voice on the line, he said, “It worked.”

  “He actually bought it?”

  “Sure did. So, if I ‘win’ he’s going to spring for our entire Homecoming night.”

  Bronwyn didn’t know how to respond. While she was glad Drew had been able to accurately predict how things were going to go, she was also a bit sad J.D. would so eagerly bet on her. Finally, she said lightly, “Awww…too bad for ‘us,’ I guess.”

  Drew laughed, “Yeah, I guess so, and when I lose, I have to admit to the Line that I don’t have any control over them blah, blah.”

  “J.D. certainly knows how to play hardball, doesn’t he?”

  “Yeah, I don’t mind so much. As long as I’m telling just the Line and not the entire band, then I think we’ll all be a big happy family again and then we can go onto winning some competitions this season.”

  “Thanks again.”

  “Hey, no big deal. With the show going the way it is, it will be a nice distraction. I’m sure by next week it will be old news.”

  “Well, thanks for calling and letting me know. Night, Drew.”

  “Night, Bronwyn.”

  Bronwyn hung up the phone and sighed.

  What were you hoping for? A happy ending?

  No…but, I wish I could’ve gone on at least one date.

  Are you sure that’s it?

  Bronwyn trudged up to her room, not wanting to admit the real reason she was sad. Deep down, she’d held the hope that maybe Drew would warm up to the idea of actually going out with her, that maybe she would be more than just a ‘distraction’ during his senior year.

  Friday was the first home game of the season. The stands were packed and Bronwyn was excited about her first night marching with the Battery. All the hours of practice that had led up to the show so far were about to pay off. Rehearsals were one thing, but it was something else entirely to march on the field in front of the crowd. This game was especially unique, because tonight the Forrest Hills Flyers were revealing their new uniforms. Bronwyn couldn’t believe her luck – the uniform had not been updated in six seasons but this year they were given sleek, new designs.

  As Mr. Izzo gathered the section leaders on the track after the National Anthem, Drew caught up with J.D. and said in a low tone, “Fine. We’ll do things your way.”

  They both looked over at Bronwyn, who was finding her way up in the stands. She had a fierce grin on her face and looked delighted to be a part of the section.

  J.D. asked, “When were you thinking about asking her?”

  “The sooner the better. And you’re sure you haven’t told anyone?”

  J.D. put his hands up, “I promise. This is just between you and her…and me.”

  Drew rolled his eyes, but replied, “May the best man win.”

  Bronwyn, excited as she was to be sitting among the snares in the stands, couldn’t help but notice her Captain and drum major discussing something at the bottom of the stands. Tony also noted with interest that the two young men were talking.

  Once secure on the drum major podium, Drew’s eyes sought Bronwyn’s as he lifted his hands for the crowd pleasing stands song “Hey Baby.” He winked. Bronwyn knew that was the cue that he was going to set the plan in action.

  Although she had played a reasonably clean performance, Bronwyn knew the band still had a long way to go before they would be ready for competition. During the second song, when the band was facing backfield for an extended move, J.D. had sped up the tempo, blazing almost three measures ahead of the rest of the band. Bronwyn still wasn’t sure how they had all ended together. As Drew had brought his hands down, he glared in the direction of the Line. She wondered if he would still show up tonight.

  Bronwyn tried to act as normal as possible as she put her drum away and waited for Drew to arrive. They had originally decided it would be best if as many people from the Line saw them leave together. Bronwyn was talking to Adam when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and looked up to see Drew. She asked as casually as possible, “Yes?”

  “I was wondering if, I, uh, could talk to you.”

  “Sure, what’s up?” Bronwyn asked brightly, knowing his presence in the percussion room would start the band rumor mill churning. As each section of the band had ‘their’ specific territory, it was rare to see a lot of cross over between the groups. More often than not, the drum majors hung out in the band director’s office or with their previous section. Given the ongoing rivalry between J.D. and Drew, and the somewhat disastrous performance earlier in the evening, the drum major could just as easily be in the drummer’s territory to have a word with the Captain. It made his interest in the sophomore snare that more interesting.

  “Can I give you a ride home?”

  Bronwyn pretended to consider for a moment before she replied, “That would be fine. Let me just get my stuff.”

  It took Bronwyn about two seconds to grab her bag. She tucked her arm under Drew’s and said, “Let’s go.”

  It was probably a first, but the percussion room was silent as the pair left together. As soon as they were in the hall, Bronwyn whooped with nervous laughter. What had a few weeks ago been a crazy idea was now actually happening. In response, Drew smiled. It was good to see the sophomore in such a great mood. After the “attention” incident outside of the dining hall on the first day of band camp, he had unexpectedly started keeping his eye on her. Although she tried to hide it, Bronwyn usually had a distant look on her face. Tonight, however, her blue grey eyes were lit up and she had a smile that almost split her face.

  As they walked outside towards the parking lot, Drew said, “We might as well play up the charade for a little while.”

  Bronwyn nodded, “The more they think you like me, the better it will be when I tell you ‘no.’”

  Drew pretended to look crushed and said, “How will I ev
er survive the devastation?”

  Inside the car, Bronwyn asked, “Hey Drew?”

  “Yes?”

  “I was thinking we might tweak things a little bit.”

  “What more could we do?”

  Bronwyn took a deep breath and blurted out, “I want a trial date.”

  Drew raised his eyebrows.

  Before he had a chance to say no, Bronwyn rushed ahead, “See, here’s the thing. Hypothetically, I don’t think I would just say yes, just because, you know? I mean Homecoming is a big decision and one I don’t think I can make unless I really know the guy…” She trailed off, hoping he would understand.

  Drew smiled and asked, “Bronwyn Flueger, are you asking me on a date?”

  Playing with a strand of her hair, the sophomore said quietly, “Is that what it sounds like I’m doing?”

  “That’s exactly what it sounds like.”

  Bronwyn’s face got red, and her heart started beating very hard.

  Why are you stressing?

  Not sure.

  He says yes, he says no. You weren’t even this nervous at auditions.

  Drumming, I know. Boys, I do not.

  He still hasn’t said anything.

  Don’t remind me.

  Drew looked out the window and said, “You know, girls have done a lot of things to get my attention in the past, but no one has been as sneaky as you have. Was this all some elaborate scheme to get a date with me? Are you playing all of us?”

  Bronwyn’s heart was sinking in her chest and she finally croaked, “No.”

  “You promise?”

  Bronwyn scratched a tiny piece of lint on her shorts and murmured, “Forget I asked. We’ll just stick the original plan.”

  Not a moment too soon, they pulled up to Bronwyn’s house. She managed to squeak out, “Night, Drew. Thanks for the ride.”

  “Night, Bronwyn.”

  As Bronwyn got out of the car, Drew almost called her back, but then put his car into gear and pulled away, thoughts instantly filling his head.

  Good going, idiot.

  What?

  There are easier and nicer ways to turn a girl down, you know.

  I wasn’t—

  You actually think she planned this whole thing?! The truth is much simpler than that.

  Yeah, what is it?

  Bronwyn Flueger has all the normal, healthy signs of having a crush on you.

  Drew turned up the music in his car, unsure how to process that information.

  * * *

  CHAPTER SIX: Boys Will Be Boys

  On Monday, Bronwyn strolled into fifth period as if everything in her life was completely normal and that she had not left the sanctuary of the percussion room on Friday night with the drum major. Even though she felt terrible and even worse off than when she started this crazy adventure, Bronwyn forced a smug smile on her face.

  Might as well keep them guessing…

  Although he would never admit to it, J.D. had been waiting for Bronwyn. However, he couldn’t tell what answer she had given Drew based on her expression. He was also going to be damned if he ran up to her like a giddy schoolgirl asking if she had said “yes” to Drew’s pressing question that he wasn’t even supposed to know about. Nor was the Captain of the drumline going to call the drum major over the weekend and get that answer. J.D. walked over to Tony, “Hey man, I need you to do something for me.”

  Tony, always looking for a way to get ‘in’ with the upperclassmen in the section, asked, “What’s up?”

  “I need you to go ask Bronwyn something.”

  “What is it?”

  “Umm…this is going to sound weird, but you ask her how things went with Drew?”

  Tony looked at his Captain strangely, “Well…”

  “Well what?”

  “She and I aren’t the best of friends.”

  “Hmph.”

  “I mean; she’s just going to wonder why I’m coming up and asking her such a random question. Why do you want to know anyway?”

  “I have my reasons.”

  His thoughts on something entirely non-percussion, J.D. began the warm up. Since Bronwyn was on his far left; he couldn’t look at her for the entire class. He guessed she had said no.

  “So?” Meredith asked on the way down to the practice field.

  “So, what?” Bronwyn responded, oblivious.

  “Aren’t you going to tell us how things went with Drew?” Meredith looked at Megan, and continued, “We kind of thought you would call us over the weekend.”

  “Oh that.”

  “Yes – that,” Megan said.

  “Well, he drove me home. End of story. No big deal.”

  “Sure, the hottest senior in the band, who just also happens to be the drum major, drives you home and that’s it? ‘No big deal?’” Megan asked skeptically. “Isn’t this the same guy you’ve been desperately crushing on for almost a year?”

  “It’s not relevant.”

  Meredith blinked rapidly, and ignoring Bronwyn’s attempts to avoid the subject, questioned, “What did you guys talk about?”

  “You know, stuff.”

  Meredith sighed and asked, “Is there something you’re not telling us? Is this some sort of weird truce attempt? Did J.D. put you up to it?”

  If they only knew the truth…

  What would they say?

  That I’m crazy.

  Bronwyn snapped, “Look, it was just one ride. Maybe it’s some sort of underclassmen outreach program, I’m not entirely sure. All I know is that it was definitely a one time thing. So, can we just drop it please?”

  Her friends exchanged worried glances. They knew this season was stressing out Bronwyn more than last year, but her reaction was concerning. For all the jokes they made about her red hair and temper to match, for the most part, Bronwyn was the most level headed among them. This response was out of character.

  Meredith let the topic drop – for now – and linked an arm with the snare drummer, “If you say so.”

  Her friends’ concern only made things worse. As she walked towards where the Line was gathering, Bronwyn knew she should feel happier. Drew and J.D. were going to have their little talk, J.D. was going to feel like he was the big winner and she would finally have the acceptance she desperately wanted from the Line.

  I guess I got greedy.

  Don’t think like that. One date hardly counts as being greedy.

  Well, I might be winning the acceptance of the Line, but now Drew thinks I’m some sort of conniving bitch. Why did I even ask him to begin with?

  You win some; you lose some.

  I think we all know who the loser is here.

  Drew noticed Bronwyn purposely avoiding him and wasn’t surprised. He was also not shocked to find J.D. sitting at his car after practice. The drum major commented sarcastically, “People are going to start thinking we’re a couple, J.D.”

  “Hardly.”

  “I’m guessing this is not a courtesy call.”

  “Well, the entire Line saw you two leave together on Friday.”

  “Why does that mean anything?”

  “Did you ask her?”

  Drew suppressed a grin. He knew he would lose face later when he had to tell J.D. that Bronwyn had said “no,” but somehow everything was worth it hearing the tough, disciplined drumline Captain say, ‘Did you ask her?’

  “I did.”

  “You are deliberately not making this easy on me.”

  “So quick to catch on, Strauss.”

  J.D. crossed his arms, then played what he thought was his trump card, “You know I can just go and tell Flueger what we’re up to. I’m sure she wouldn’t be happy to learn you sold her out.”

  At J.D.’s response, Drew hesitated a moment longer, then decided he had to screw with the percussion section leader for a bit longer. He replied, “Well, if you must know, I did ask her and she said she couldn’t make that decision until she went on a date with me.”

  “She did what?!”


  “So I said yes.”

  “This wasn’t part of the bargain.”

  “Look, it’s not as if I had any choice. Do you think Bronwyn just woke up on Friday morning and decided she would mess up our whole deal?”

  “No,” said J.D. glumly.

  “Well, I’m going to try and be my charming best and you can just sit tight.”

  “I guess.”

  “Still so sure you’re going to win?”

  J.D., who didn’t like to be challenged, responded instantly, “I’m so sure, I’ll throw in a limo if you do win!”

  Two days later, at Thursday’s practice, Bronwyn was walking back towards the school with Megan and Meredith, trying to convince them she was back to ‘normal,’ when someone behind her asked, “You got a minute?”

  Bronwyn’s heart fluttered for a moment, then sank like a rock; she would recognize that voice anywhere. She responded, “Sure.”

  Her friends exchanged approving looks as Bronwyn hung back to walk down with Drew.

  “So, I talked to J.D.”

  Bronwyn sighed, “When are you going to make your big announcement?”

  “After our date.”

  Drew’s statement caused Bronwyn to trip over her own feet. She reached out blindly to keep from falling and caught herself on the senior’s strong forearm. The close contact with her crush made her cheeks burn and she said, “I’m sorry, I thought you said ‘after we go on our date.’”

  “I did.”

  They walked in silence. Bronwyn gathered her courage and asked, “What changed your mind?”

  “I wanted to mess with J.D. a little longer.”

  “Oh.” Bronwyn tried her best to keep the disappointment out of her voice.

  Drew continued, “And, I have to admit, I was a little curious what it would be like to go out with the cute drummer prodigy everyone keeps talking about.”

  “Oh.” Bronwyn tried her best to keep the smile out of her voice.

  “So, catch you later?”