Keeping in Line (14 page)

CHAPTER TWELVE: Drumline Idol

During sectionals on Wednesday afternoon, things in the snare line were very tense. With one-sixth of the section missing, Bronwyn couldn’t explain it, but suddenly the group seemed a lot smaller. Finishing off a break, J.D. signaled the group to stop. Lance asked casually, “So, just who exactly were you planning on having judge this ‘audition’ on Monday?”

J.D. clicked his sticks together and said nonchalantly, “Well, me, I guess.”

Bronwyn and Lance shared an exasperated look, before Bronwyn asked, “Really? Just you?”

Even Adam and Scott looked skeptical.

J.D. half-smiled as he answered, “Just kidding. We’ll all have an equal say and for someone to get the position they will have to get four of us to say yes.”

Lance asked, “Does that include Kevin?”

J.D. replied, “Yes. Kevin will be included. So, a potential candidate has to have four of the six of us give them a thumbs up. We’ll do it by blind vote, so none of our ‘auditonees’ can be crappy about it later. Does everyone agree?”

Hearing murmurs of ‘yes’ and ‘this is worse than electing the Pope,’ Bronwyn sighed, relieved that J.D. hadn’t gone completely psycho and was actually including the rest of his section in the process. She had briefly debated going to Mr. Izzo with J.D.’s crazy plan, but rationalized that there was a very slim chance that a) someone would nail the solo and b) all the snares would agree on that person.

Scott asked, “Do you think anyone actually has the guts to try out?”

J.D. shrugged and said, “I don’t know, but let it be understood that none of us can offer any additional help. If someone comes to you for advice, just tell them you’re being diplomatic and can’t.”

The snares all nodded. It was probably the first time all season they had all been in agreement on something.

There was a lot of buzz surrounding the Forrest Hills percussion section by Thursday’s practice. The word had gotten out throughout the marching band that the Line was looking for a replacement snare drummer. At the first water break, Bronwyn was surprised when a nervous Pete asked her, “So, can anyone try out?”

“I don’t know. Why are you asking?”

“Well, I mean you can’t just limit the audition to members of the Line. Maybe there are other drummers out there.”

Bronwyn thought a moment before diplomatically answering, “If anyone in this band can cleanly play the solo from the snare break, they will get the spot, no matter which section they are from.”

Tyler, who joined them, asked, “What about the rest of the school? Shouldn’t you make everyone aware?”

Bronwyn looked at the pair skeptically before she replied drily, “I’ll be sure to bring it to J.D.’s attention.”

As she headed back over to her section and got into formation, she whispered to Adam, “Is everyone in the band acting crazy or is it just me?”

Adam stifled a laugh, “Tell me about it. How many wannabe snares can there be at Forrest Hills?”

Lance joked from the other side of J.D., “Have they even picked up sticks before? It’s not as easy as we make it look.”

J.D. looked down the snare line and said, “Alright guys, due to the overwhelming response for Kevin’s spot, we’re going to have to move the auditions to after school on Monday. I’m going to limit ‘non Line’ auditions to no more than twenty people. I mean seriously, everyone knows that tryouts are in the spring, if you waited until now, get over it!”

With the excuse of being a member of the judging committee, Bronwyn decided she would actually pay attention to what she was wearing on Monday. While she usually didn’t bother too much with her clothing selections, she decided the guys needed a reminder she was female. Sure, maybe it was for the attention – but what was the point of being in an all guy section if you couldn’t get some extra interest now and then? She tried to convince herself that her eye-catching ensemble had nothing to do with constantly seeing a disgustingly happy Drew and Christina at practice. After discussing her options with Megan and Meredith, Bronwyn went out of her usual comfort zone and wore a slim black pencil skirt with a tight green shirt and completed the look with a pair of awesome heels she borrowed from Megan. She even managed to get her crazy red curls under control. Looking at herself in the mirror, Bronwyn was convinced she looked at least sixteen or seventeen and all business.

Just see if they don’t take my opinion seriously today.

Walking into the band room, Bronwyn was pleased to see that her mini-makeover was being noticed. As she walked up to her friends, she could’ve sworn she saw Pete tuck a pair of drum sticks into his book bag, but decided against it, guessing it must’ve been something else instead.

After school, Bronwyn and Kevin watched as the guys set up the band room for auditions. Bronwyn looked at the senior’s cast and asked, “Mind if I sign it?”

“Not at all.”

He dug around in his backpack for a Sharpie. Concentrating, Bronwyn marked out a few notes from the snare solo on his cast, “There you go!”

Kevin looked and smiled, “Thanks.”

J.D., who was busy moving chairs, looked over at the pair and said, “If you two are done not helping, I think we are ready to begin. Bronwyn, do you want to be our door girl?”

Maybe it was the clothes, or maybe it as the fact that she wanted to blame her failed relationship on her Captain and his big mouth, Bronwyn raised an eyebrow and shot J.D. an ice cold stare; “What did you ask me?”

J.D. tried to backpedal and looked to Kevin for help. Kevin shrugged his shoulders and said, “You’re on your own, man.”

J.D. put his hands up, “I just meant…well, you look nice today.”

Bronwyn crossed her arms, “Any other reason?”

“Seniority?”

“So, because I’m the only sophomore I have to ‘fetch’ people?”

“Listen, do you want to or not?”

Bronwyn considered her options: on the one hand, it was sort of demeaning work, on the other it was a way to a) possibly get on J.D.’s good side, which, whether she would admit it or not was something she needed to do b) answer the door in Tony’s face thereby reminding him again that she was on the snare line and he was not and c) potentially meet a cute mystery percussionist who might try out for the Line.

Grudgingly she answered, “Fine, but I’m not getting anyone’s coffee.”

“Well, go ahead, we’re ready for the first ‘contestant.’”

Bronwyn looked back at her section, which had assembled at a long table in front of J.D.’s snare. Adam flashed her a thumbs up. She walked to the hallway, and looked at the line of wannabe drummers waiting patiently. Wanting to make them sweat a moment longer, she reviewed the sign up list posted next to the band room door. The simple sheet of paper had two categories, one for current members of the Line, and those who were not. She perused the list again, and paused. Peter Overton.

Pete? What is he doing auditioning?

Bronwyn continued scanning the list and was surprised to see a girl’s name on it. The thought hadn’t even occurred to her that another girl would audition. She had already talked to Valerie and Beth and they were both happy continuing to learn the ropes in the Pit. Bronwyn would’ve considered giving them extra help if she really thought they had a chance. She was surprised when a small part of her was relieved that they weren’t going to audition. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, even after all of the drama, there was something very fun about being the only girl on the Battery.

She looked at the girl’s name again. Dana Berman. It sounded familiar.

I guess I’ll see when she shows up.

Bronwyn called the first name and the auditions began. Time went by quickly and before long, the redhead found herself face to face with Tony.

He had his trademark smirk already in place, “I guess I can’t count on your vote, can I, Flueger?”

Bronwyn resisted the urge to stick out her tongue and instead replied, “Unlike you, Tony, I have something called integrity. I’m actually going to wait and see if you can play.”

“Whatever.”

“And, by the way, I’m sure the rest of the basses are so proud of your commitment to them.”

Bronwyn smiled smugly and took her seat next to Adam.

J.D. said, “Tony, either you know the piece or you don’t. Just play it.”

As much as Bronwyn was hoping he would crash and burn, Tony did a pretty solid job of really knocking out the solo. When he had finished, everyone sat quietly. J.D. said, “Well, Tony we’ll let you know the results tomorrow.”

Tony oddly saluted the snare line and walked out of the room.

Lance whistled, “That was weird.”

Adam agreed, “I guess he’s been practicing.”

J.D. said, “Well, let’s take a vote.”

Everyone wrote on a piece of paper, which J.D. quickly collected and tallied. Unlike the other auditions, this one was unanimous the other way. All six members of the snare line had said “yes” to Tony.

Bronwyn suggested, “Well, maybe now we should look for a replacement for Tony, rather than a replacement for Kevin. We have to at least see everyone else.”

Lance agreed, “It’s not that bad an idea. I mean, if we can find someone independent and teach them the show quickly, things might work out for everyone.”

The theory of trying to find another good player wasn’t proving to be very easy. The group was about to give up when Pete showed up at the door.

Bronwyn looked at him skeptically, “What are you doing here?”

Pete puffed himself up, “Auditioning.”

“You know, if you had asked, I could’ve helped you.”

Her friend paused at the door and replied, “Um, you seemed a little preoccupied recently.”

“Really?”

They walked into the band room and Pete quipped, “Plus, B, don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re kind of totally intimidating as a drummer.”

“Good luck,” Bronwyn gave him a smile and joined the seated snares.

Pete wasn’t a natural, but he had decent chops. He was definitely the next strongest player after Tony’s audition.

J.D. dismissed him by saying, “We’ll let you know tomorrow.”

Pete said, “Thanks, guys.”

As soon as he closed the door, Lance said, “Bass.”

J.D. crossed his arms, “Really?”

Adam said, “We’re going to need a replacement for Tony. Why shouldn’t it be this guy?”

Bronwyn looked at her section, “Hello? Major
problemo
?”

The guys looked at her, before Bronwyn continued, “Pete plays trumpet. Don’t you think that Geoff is going to have a problem?”

They all continued looking at her as if she had sprouted another head. J.D. asked, “Who is Geoff?”

Bronwyn knew who Geoff was, because unlike the rest of the girls in band, she had to search for cute guys outside her section. She informed the other snares, “Geoff is the Brass Captain.”

And totally adorable
, she added to herself, before she continued, “He isn’t going to like someone in his section just ‘switching’ out. Imagine if someone on the Line moved themselves to Brass.”

As expected, J.D. said, “Well, he can get over it, because if Pete wants the spot, it’s his.”

Adam asked, “Also, what about his schedule? I mean how is the bass line going to practice every day in class missing the first bass?”

Everyone sighed.

Bronwyn stated, “I happen to know that Pete has Electronic Music Techniques during 5th period.”

J.D. smiled and said, “Which is taught by Mr. Walker and we know he won’t care. So, there we are, problem solved.”

Bronwyn sighed, “Well, we have one more audition.”

She walked to the door and remembered exactly who Dana Berman was. Dana was also in marching band, a member of the Guard. Bronwyn tried to clear predetermined judgments from her mind. After all, she would be the worst kind of hypocrite if she didn’t give Dana chance. Bronwyn knew how many times people looked at her and assumed she was something other than a great percussionist. She forced a smile on her face and said brightly, “Ready?”

Dana played a below average audition. She also played matched grip, which definitely wouldn’t work in the current snare line. She wasn’t the worst drummer of the day, but she wasn’t as good as Tony or Pete. What she did excel at however, was wardrobe selection. Bronwyn couldn’t even remember what she wore for her audition in the spring, but had a feeling that Dana had planned out this outfit carefully. Her classmate was wearing a tight denim miniskirt with an equally tight pink top that didn’t leave much to the imagination.

J.D said with a wink, “I’ll personally let you know the results tomorrow.”

As soon as she shut the door, the guys started making a number of inappropriate comments, gestures, and sounds. Bronwyn was furious. She knew they were kidding, but their reaction was a bit ridiculous. She jumped out of her seat and said coldly, “Seriously?! Are you serious?”

The guys were instantly quiet.