Keeping in Line

by Courtney Brandt

  “I know. Where are you headed tonight to celebrate?”

  Drew shrugged and said, “I’m not sure, probably wherever Christina and the Guard goes.”

  The trumpet soloist shifted his instrument and asked, “Umm, Drew?”

  “Yeah?”

  “This is probably going to sound weird.”

  The pit in Drew’s stomach grew even larger. Although he hadn’t specifically seen any interaction between Bronwyn and the kid who drove her home, he wasn’t blind. Ever since their little ‘jam’ in the Commons, Geoff and Bronwyn were practically all anyone could talk about. Although the potential pair was oblivious to all the band matchmakers, Drew assumed it was that everyone went a little crazy this close to Homecoming.

  He finally answered, “Go ahead.”

  “So, what was up with you and Bronwyn earlier this season?”

  Drew chuckled and said, “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

  “What does that mean?”

  The drum major shook his head and answered honestly, “You know what? She’s too good for me. I don’t think I deserve a girl like Bronwyn Flueger.”

  “So…?”

  Drew knew his friend was a good guy, as much as it pained him to think about Bronwyn with someone else, at least Geoff was worthy. Drew replied sadly, “Go for it, man.”

  * * *

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: I’ll Never Fall in Love, Again

  After his conversation with Geoff, Drew was very thankful he had encouraged Christina to take her own car that morning. With his rationale and judgment thrown completely out of whack, the drum major decided it would be best to appeal to his brother. He pressed the speed dial button, and as soon as he heard the call connect, said, “Dude?”

  “What’s up?”

  “I think I screwed up.”

  On the other end of the phone, Joe sighed, “What did you do?”

  “I think I asked the wrong girl to Homecoming.”

  “How is that even possible?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Well, obviously you do, because you’re telling me you have.”

  “So, I can’t, um, un-ask someone?”

  “Drew, you cannot reneg a Homecoming date. That’s like, an unspoken rule.”

  Drew sighed, “It is?”

  “Of course it is!”

  “So what am I going to do?”

  “You’d better go with the girl you already asked.”

  “Damn it. I thought that’s what you were going to say.”

  “Sorry dude. Anything else?”

  “No.”

  Drew hung up the phone, feeling miserable.

  And here I thought I actually knew a thing or two about girls…

  It would serve you right if Bronwyn goes with Geoff.

  To: karatechop@state.edu

  From: FHHSsnaregrl@FHHS.edu

  Subject: Young Musicians Clinic

  Lucy,

  Hey, so my parents aren’t so much buying the whole “visiting” you at college. What I did manage to come up with is that I want to attend an advanced percussion clinic (which is for real and on Saturday afternoon in the music school with a respectable clinician) and that I’ll just stay at your place for a night. Sound cool?

  B

  To: FHHSsnaregrl@FHHS.edu

  From: karatechop@state.edu

  Subject: Re: Young Musicians Clinic

  B,

  No worries. So, if you can get your parents to drive you up on Saturday, I’ll bring you back on Sunday. Hopefully they’ll agree to that plan.

  And say, isn’t it that time of year for certain people to be enjoying dances?

  Luce

  To: karatechop@state.edu

  From: FHHSsnaregrl@FHHS.edu

  Subject: Re: Re: Young Musicians Clinic

  Lucy,

  I checked with my parents and they’re cool with the whole clinic/driving thing. So, I’ll see you in two weeks? I’m super looking forward to it!

  About that whole dance thing? Well, it’s the same weekend as the clinic. The whole reason I’m coming up to see you is because I could CARE LESS.

  B

  Clicking “send,” Bronwyn hoped she would make it through the next two weeks. Maybe she hadn’t been so clued up on things last year, but this year she realized people were literally obsessed with the dance.

  Maybe if I was going with someone I really liked, I would understand the feeling…

  By the last practice before the Homecoming game, it seemed everyone in the band was pairing off. Bronwyn had been genuinely excited to learn Ben had asked Meredith, and in a kind of last minute effort, Tyler had decided to escort Megan “as friends.” Proving that everyone was going but her, she heard Tony was taking Dana.

  With the competitive season over, and only the Homecoming arrangement to play, the band was taking it easy for the day. Megan absentmindedly twirled her flute, and asked, “Maybe you could go with Pete?”

  Bronwyn scoffed, “Bad idea.”

  Meredith was lying flat on the grass and asked, “Why?”

  “Uh…” Bronwyn couldn’t exactly explain to her friends the real reasons. She couldn’t very well tell them a) she was completely against dating anyone in her section and b) if she was going to date someone in her section, it certainly wasn’t going to be a transfer bass drummer.

  Did I really just think that?

  I’m turning into a section snob! J.D. has finally gotten through to me!

  To her friends, she merely commented, “It would just complicate things too much. Plus, remember? I have the clinic.”

  With that, she leaned back on the grass of the practice field and stared up at the blue afternoon sky. She closed her eyes, enjoying herself, when she felt a shadow over her. Shielding her eyes, she opened them and saw someone, a tall male someone, looming above her.

  Geoff asked, “Mind if I borrow her for a few minutes, ladies?”

  Megan flushed, but answered flirtatiously, “Go for it. Just return her in good condition.”

  Geoff extended his hand and pulled Bronwyn up. Bronwyn was momentarily lost in watching his bicep contract and fell into him as she stood up. Geoff raised an eyebrow and commented to her friends, “See you soon.”

  “So?” Bronwyn literally had no idea what to say to Geoff. She had enjoyed developing a friendship with him, but was still harboring major feelings for Drew.

  “Bronwyn, I was wondering something.”

  “Yes?”

  “Have you been avoiding me?”

  Bronwyn didn’t want to answer the question honestly, because she had totally been avoiding him. In her best effort of dealing with the crush vibes she felt coming from Geoff, she figured the best way to deal with it would be to just ignore them…and him.

  “Umm, no.”

  “Huh.”

  “Why? Do you think I have?”

  “Not exactly.”

  Geoff looked over at the little redhead walking next to him, “I was wondering…”

  Bronwyn interrupted and said, “No.”

  “You don’t even know what I was going to ask.”

  “You were going to ask me to Homecoming or on a date or something?” Bronwyn refused to look at the trumpet player.

  “Maybe.”

  Bronwyn felt thoroughly awkward, and wished she hadn’t been so abrupt. Maybe being in the mostly male section was rubbing off on her.

  You should give him a reason.

  Won’t that make it worse?

  Could it get any worse?

  Now that you mention it…not really.

  As inexplicable as it was, the sophomore wasn’t the type to date someone unless she really liked them. Making plans with Geoff would be leading him on, and Bronwyn didn’t have the time or energy to do so. She tried her best to soften the blow and explained, “It’s just – I like someone else. I mean, we could go as friends, but…”

  “Oh.”

  Bronwyn gave a deep sigh.

  “What’s up?”
<
br />   The snare drummer suddenly found it amusing that although she was the one who had rejected Geoff, he was all compassionate about her dramatic sigh. Why couldn’t she like him? Her life would be so much easier if she could just like him. She finally answered, “Things aren’t going to be weird between us, are they?”

  Geoff shook his head and said, “No.”

  “Promise?”

  He bowed low and said, “As a pledge of how I promise it won’t be weird, how about I give you a ride home from practice today?”

  Bronwyn grinned, “Sounds great.”

  Drew tried not to notice Bronwyn climbing into Geoff's car that afternoon.

  You had your chance.

  And you blew it…

  Drew could kick himself, remembering the sad look on Bronwyn's face that night she had approached him in the parking lot.

  Why didn’t I just hear her out?

  With fall in full force, the Homecoming game was chilly. Bronwyn carefully dressed in layers. Looking back, it had been an exhausting two weeks and she was looking forward to relaxing with Lucy over the weekend. After learning the Homecoming song (“Come What May” from Moulin Rouge!) and its corresponding drill, J.D. and Henry had pulled the Line from practice and was relentlessly running the Indoor show. The Planets suite was slowly coming together. Each day, Bronwyn could see something that was a little bit better than they day before. She knew Henry was taking a risk with the program. The technical level of the show was intense and the sheer amount of drill was enough to do her head in, so there was plenty of room for error. However, if they managed to get it clean, then there would be no stopping the Forrest Hills drumline.

  Without any of the previous year’s pranks or distractions, the Homecoming game was as predictable as usual. The home team won and the Homecoming court looked amazing. Bronwyn and the boys had a killer time together. The redhead looked around and realized that despite the highs and lows of the season, she really was a part of the Line.

  To: FHHSdmajor@FHHS.edu

  From: karatechop@state.edu

  Subject: Seriously…

  Drew,

  Your brother gave me your e-mail address. I’ve sat by long enough and I need to tell you I think you’re making a colossal mistake taking Christina to Homecoming tomorrow. Take it from someone who knows, you don’t want to look back and have regrets from your senior year.

  B and I are going to have fun up here, far away from tacky backdrops and smelly corsages. I suggest you think about doing the same.

  Lucy

  After getting home from the Homecoming game, Bronwyn was far too excited for sleep. She began packing for the following day and night of fun with Lucy. Looking over her wardrobe, she sighed as she fingered a dress she had bought over the summer. No reason really, it was on sale and it was beautiful. It was the kind of dress you would wear to…

  Nowhere.

  Leaving the dress hanging in the closet, Bronwyn roughly zipped up her bag. The girls had tried to convince her to come and hang with them while they got ready for the big night, but she couldn’t think of anything more depressing.

  What did you think was going to happen?

  Bronwyn pulled her knees up under her chin and tried to ignore the one or two tears that had somehow sneaked out.

  That he was going to pick me.

  You had the chance to go…

  So that I could see them there together? I think not!

  Buck up, drumline girls are made of tougher things. Anyway, you got what’s important…

  The Line. I just wish I could have it both ways.

  There will be other boys.

  I don’t want other boys. I want Drew.

  The next morning, Bronwyn waved goodbye to her parents as they dropped her off at the School of Music, assuring them that she would be fine. Her dad said, “Just call us when Lucy picks you up and if you need anything at all!”

  “Yes, Dad.”

  “See you on Sunday – have fun and be safe.”

  Bronwyn walked into the building and signed in. Glancing over the list, she wasn’t surprised to see a few names that she recognized from around the county.

  Guess I’m not the only one who has better things to do today.

  It was even more amusing, because many of the names on the list would be at the same place she was going to be in two weeks – the first Indoor competition of the season. Looking around the band room, Bronwyn was not at all surprised to see that she was the only girl in the group. She took a seat near the back, and the main clinician came out and started discussing the latest in drumming technology. After about an hour of speaking and a few demonstrations, the clinician addressed the group, “We’ve decided to pair you up with some of our music majors here at the school for a little more hands-on, personalized training. When you hear your name, I will call out the student you have been assigned to. He or she will raise their hand and you will work together for about an hour. ”

  Bronwyn listened until she heard her name called, “Flueger…Jeremiah.”

  Jeremiah? Jerm? Why does that name sound familiar?

  Bronwyn caught the guy’s eye and squinted, but couldn’t remember where she recognized him from.

  The announcer finished giving instructions, “Alright, we’ll see everyone at around 11 back here in the band room.”

  Bronwyn walked up and introduced herself, “I’m Bronwyn.”

  “Jerm.”

  There was something oddly attractive about the guy in front of her. They walked down the hall to one of the practice rooms. Jerm asked, “Where do you go to school?”

  “Forrest Hills.”

  “No shit. I used to go there.”

  “When did you graduate?”

  “Let’s see…three years ago.”

  “We missed each other by a year then.”

  Jerm had set up a practice stand, “Let’s see what you got.”

  Bronwyn had no fear in her drumming, she peeled off the new snare solo from the Indoor show.

  “Henry?”

  Bronwyn nodded. There was an awkward moment between them. She sensed something was wrong with Jerm and asked, “What’s up?”

  “Oh, it’s just weird to think about someone else on the Forrest Hills drumline. I mean, you’d like to think that the Line can’t exist without you, but life goes on and people keep drumming.”

  What he was saying made sense in a weird way to Bronwyn, so she nodded. As they drummed and talked, the time went by quickly. Jerm was impressed with her new cadence, and had some things for her to work on. Finally, Jerm glanced up at the clock, “We’d better go.”

  Bronwyn smiled at the former Captain realizing that in a few years (hopefully!) she would join him in the long line of former Captains. As they walked back down the hall to the band room she said, “If you’re not doing anything next weekend, you should come check out our show.”

  Jerm replied, “Yeah, I’ll think about it. Keep working on your left hand sticking and maybe I’ll see you around.”

  * * *

  CHAPTER NINETEEN: The Minor Fall, The Major Lift

  After the clinic finished, as promised, Lucy and Pam were waiting for her outside the old building. The former bass drummer’s face lit up in a smile as she wrapped her younger friend in a hug and asked, “How was it?”

  “It was great. I learned a lot.”

  “Glad to hear it.” With Pam trailing, Lucy began speaking very quickly, “Well, let’s get started then. First, I thought we’d head back to my place so you can drop off your stuff, then maybe we’d get something to eat, or we could go downtown and go shopping – there’s a cool store you’ve got to see.”

  “Anything sounds great.” Bronwyn dug around in her jeans and fished out some money and handed it to Lucy, “My parents said they remember what it was like to be in school. So, this weekend is on them!”

  “You have some cool parents, B.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Definitely. Anyway, now that you’re here, Pam and I ar
e going to do our best to help you forget all about Forrest Hills and the craziness you left behind.”

  Already, Bronwyn felt better. She had had a morning doing what she loved most, and now she was going to have a complete weekend of freedom with her friend. Scooping the pug up, she said, “Thanks! So, will I get to meet Joe later?”

  “He’s working as a bar back these days, so I never know when he’s going to turn up. Still, I think I convinced him into making us breakfast tomorrow morning. He does a great omelet.”

  Bronwyn was glad at least someone was having luck with an O’Malley male and replied, “Sounds yummy.” She carefully put Pam back on the ground and said, “But, Lucy, I have to ask, are you sure you don’t mind me coming up here? I mean, this is like your one three day weekend for the whole semester.”

  “Seriously, it’s no big deal. I’m just coming off midterms, and I didn’t want to do anything else but chill out for three days. I wouldn’t have invited you if I didn’t want you here, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “Well, let’s get to it then – I’m sure you worked up an appetite this morning.”

  A few hours later, Drew looked at himself in the mirror. In the reflection he saw himself, in a dark suit complete with aviator shades and polished black shoes. He looked again, squinting at his reflection. There was so much of this season he couldn’t take back, so much of the year where he had waited and reacted instead of choosing to make the first move.