Fan Fiction |
by vietnies
As she walked towards the amphitheater of A&M University with her Bach trumpet in hand and music bag slung casually on her shoulder, she glanced at her watch. With the grace of a careless child, she nearly tripped as she descended the plateau before the amphitheater. Good going, Charmaine, she thought to herself. First day with the Blue Devils and you can't even walk right, how are you going to march?
In her fury, she had increased her pace significantly. Unforunately, her feet didn't take her to the amphitheater exactly. Rather to a series of buildings that was completely foreign to her. As she walked around the vast campus, racing against her fear of making a bad impression, the feeling that she would be late increased with each step she too
~*~
Chilam glanced around at the growing number of people approaching the amphitheater, all of which carried a music case of some sort and music. He felt rather odd to leading the Blue Devils. Even though he had participated in the band for several years, taking control and being drum major was a major step. He sauntered aroudn the stage deliberately, as though he were checking the sound systems and whatnot, but in reality, he just needed to release a miniscule portion of his anxiety. Although he felt he might look unprofessional, he bent down to tie the show laces to his black and white avis tennis shoes.
"CHILAM!" a distant voice beckoned. Looking over his shoulder, he recognized the first-chair tuba player, Kevin.
Odd way to dress for a field work, Chilam thought, as he scanned Kevin's Hilfiger red polo shirt, pin-stripped Guess blazer, and faded jeans.
"Aren't you going to be uncomfortable marching in that?" Chilam asked, casually, as he descended from the stage.
"Well, I figure I could be a model on what not to wear for marching practice..." Kevin replied cunningly with a sly smile on his face. "Besides, I'm more sexy this way..."
Chilam shook his head while maintaining a feigned, friendly smile. Let's just hope you don't hurt some poor girl like you did last year, he thought to himself.
"I should start the orientation," Chilam suggested as he saw that most had arrived and sat down.
"Sure, I'll help you out... " Kevin asserted and before Chilam could say anything. Kevin ran up the stage and seized the microphone.
"H-H-HEELLLOOO, Blue Devils! Welcome to the orientation!" Kevin bellowed in his feigned cheery voice.
Realizing that he should assert his leadership role to the new bandmembers, he walked slowly up the stairs and stopped beside Kevin.
"And this is my lovely assistant, Chilam Cheung." Kevin joked. "Actually, I, Kevin Cheung, will be his lovely assistant. Everyone, this man beside me is going to be your drum major. So, warm welcome please..."
As everyone clapped politely and Kevin handed Chilam the microphone, a girl dressed in red basketball shorts and a white wife-beater ran into the amphitheater.
Although most maintained their focus on Chilam, those seated beside the door noticed this girl's late arrival.
"Welcome everyone. I hope you will enjoy your experience here as Blue Devil. And on the issue of rules, the most important one is that of punctuality," Chilam admonished as he directed his attention to the girl. "We have a saying here: To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. And to be late is to be..." as Chilam trailed off he moved his hand across his neck, miming the throat-slashing that would be involved, but softened the gesture by a wide grin afterwards. "Now, on the issue of music, what we will do..."
~*~
Charmaine sat in the back row of the amphitheater and felt unequivocally foolish. You weren't supposed to be here, Charmaine reprimanded herself. Not here late at least...it's not like you're an amazing musician or anything...and music theory is kicking your butt right now and if you get kicked out of this whole Blue Devils thing, your scholarship is done with...and what do you do...you show up late...good going...charmaine...real good.
As others in front of her started walking around introducing each other, she just sat there with furrowed brows and self-deprecating thoughts. Unable to shake herself out of her bad-mood, she gathered her stuff and decided to attempt to make some friends.
Walking towards the nearest circle of people, she prepared herself mentally for the congenial attitude, but as she appraoched the group they disbanded. Feeling rejected, she sat down in the nearest chair, she opened up her music and studied it intently.
"Clippers, right?" a baritone voice questioned.
Looking up from her music, Charmaine's face had a confused expression. "I'm sorry?" she asked reluctantly.
"Oh did I baffle you with my random question? I meant your shorts... " reading over her expression, he realized she was still confused over who he was and his unopportune question. "Let's start over. Hi, my name is Kevin Cheng and I play tuba for the Devils. Been going 5 years strong and this is my last year."
"Hey, Charmaine Sheh. First year for Blue Devils and I play trumpet. And yeah, my shorts are for the Clippers."
"Oh, yeah? I'm not big on basketball myself. More of a football kinda guy. You know who I like? Definitely the Raiders," Kevin stated matter-of-factly and then began expounding on himself.
Charmaine just sat there listening. Nodding at times and variating with a couple of slight smiles. As Chilam made his way through the circles of introduction, he spotted the incongruent figure of Kevin. Pondering on whether or not he should walk over, he noticed that Kevin was talking to the late girl. Chilam just shook his head and walked over to another circle.
~*~
sorry, very long and very boring, but i'm trying to work this whole deal out with the intros and what not. i'll try to make it better next time... =)