Chapter 15

   We get situated in our assigned locker room. Putting on the finishing touches of our uniforms and getting our instruments situated. Jordan helps me around as I asked him. I had never been here before, I still had to get used to it.

   The room was loud until the announcer came on, "First up is The Benhide Band of Orange!"

   Before we get out on the field, Mrs. Jerik examines all of our zippers and buttons, makes sure our hats and feathers are right and checks our instruments. Sheldon begins his speech again, "They may take our freedom!-"

   "But not our swag!" The band says laughing.

   "Okay, serious now, guys..." Field commander Hannah says. "Get in line and march better than you have before!"

   "This is for realizes!" Lexi yells so the whole band can hear. "Let's do this!"

    Haylee helps me line up and the drum tap begins. "Turn," She says as I turn and snap to attention. I had had multiple individual, section, and full band rehearsals that I could probably find my sets blind-folded. Not that a blind fold was necessary, though.

   When I get to the hash, Lexi doesn't give me her usual reminder. I guess she took it for granted I remembered when to go left.

   We turn after the usual 'hup hups,' Caitlin counts us off. I had gotten onto the field fine. Now came marching and music.

   I count in my head and play the first few notes but after the first run we play I stop. I usually messed up on the parts after this and I didn't want my selfishness to cause the band to fail.

   By now we're half way through the first piece and I'm feeling really good about it. I remember the semi-third position on the way to the shield set.

   Prepping I continue onto the next set. It was the shield and I set the whole thing. I had be in the exact spot or I would mess up the whole set. My paranoia of messing up almost destroyed me and then I remembered Jordan's encouraging words. "You can do this. You won't mess up once tomorrow, I promise." His words repeated in my head.

   I go to where I remembered the set being and when we snap to attention. I hear Elizabeth whisper, "Good job setting this set. It's almost perfect."

   I smile and then turn around putting the instrument in my mouth. Marching backwards and slightly to the right I get to the set and start the G.E.. Step to the side and lunge then go to third position. On count fourteen I bend my knees and then on count sixteen I come up. on seventeen I float my foot down to the ground and then slide it in. A prep finishes this G.E..

   I march forwards and then recall Lexi and Kailey going backwards after this meaning I had to take small steps. I hear Jordan's clarinet and know to start turning to the right. Taking a step backwards on my right foot I bend my knees slightly to keep me from bouncing.

   Wesley doesn't make a comment on where I end up being. Now it was time for the third song. I turn my cheek to the left when the drums play. Then bringing my face to the front and stepping my left foot out. Snapping my clarinet to attention and then bringing everything back to normal position I prep and move forward.

   I remember going into the big arc. Wesley was again beside me. "Scoot back a tad," he says and as I mark time I scoot myself back.

   To the next set I just went straight across then forwards. This was the G.E. that I learned to love after finally getting it right. I bring my foot to the front and then semi-circle it to the back. Kick backwards and get in wide squatting position. Lateral to the left, and back straight. Finally, ending with a jazz twist.

   By the end of the show the adrenaline is obviously noticeable by everyone. The instruments are blaring and everyone is getting that feeling you get when you know you did it right and something good is going to come out of all of it. I rush to the last set. Snapping to attention, my ears are filled with clapping.

  I smile and begin marching off the field. I had done it. I really could do it. When we get into our band locker room, I show everyone my emotions. The biggest smile is plastered on my face and I'm probably squeezing the life out of Harmony.

  The other bands play familiar tunes like Phantom of the Opera and Swan Lake. In the end the announcer speaks again:

   "Taking home the third place trophy is The Hamilton Hectics!"

   Screaming erupts along with clapping. When that dies down, the announcer continues:

   "Getting the second place trophy is The Yugman Yellows!"

   "Woohoos!" Echo across the field.

   We had either gotten first or hadn't placed at all. Jordan bumps me and says, "Melody Goldman, we just won your first competition."

   "And finally, claiming first is Benhide Band of Orange!"

   I scream and laugh and hug the first people in the band I could reach. I was so happy. Jordan was right, I could do it. I knew I could.

   We race onto the field and Taylor picks up the trophy for us. He always does. Then he walks to me and says, "Melody, I think you should hold it."

   Smiling I take the trophy and thrust it above my head.

   "I'm ugly and I'm proud!" Sheldon screams.

   "Oh. My. Gawd! I can't friggin' believe we just won!" Harmony jumps up and down holding my hands. I smile, too and squeal.

   Jordan grabs my hands and runs me into the locker room where within seconds, Jordan hands me my bags. I smile thankfully and yell for Harmony. A few seconds later she grabs my hands and leads me onto the smelly band bus.

   I tilt my head towards the ground and wrap my hands together. Today, I had learned that anything is possible. Even if it seems impossible, as long as you set your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. I had accomplished everything. I hadn't failed my band, I had tried my best, I had fulfilled all my goals. We had taken home the 2014 National Band Championship.