Chapter Text
In ninth grade Michael Jones decided to join marching band.
He was a fairly decent trombone player, and it would get him out of gym, plus his friend Ray was joining he figured "eh, why not".
After the first week he was ready to quit. The week consisted of exercise and practicing the same thing over and over again, neither of which Michael was fond of.
"Jesus this stuff is easy, why the fuck do we need to keep doing it? Do we even need exercise to do this it's literally rolling our fucking feet." He ranted.
It really was simple, but that didn't stop the director from drilling the process into Michael's head "heel, arch, ball, toe, heel, arch, ball, toe" Michael mocked to Ray in a monotone voice.
Ray snorted "Dude calm down, it's the first week the stuff is supposed to be simple.
Michael rolled his eyes flopping back "No Ray you don't understand, a fucking five year old could do this is so fucking simple. Christ why did I join this."
Ray waved the statement away, standing up as the director called everyone back to block "It's this or gym Jones" Ray said, playing up his New York accent. Michael flipped him off as he stood up waking back to his line
. Ray walked back inside with a wave. There was another 3 hours of practice, most likely going to be the same as the past 3.
The director decided to do horn positions instead "Wow, what a change of pace" Michael thought sarcastically, they had done this earlier but apparently the director thought they could use a review.
The brass made a block out of the woodwinds way, Michael looked around as the director talked with some of the other staff.
In front and behind of him were two trombones.
The one in front of him had this sort of sandy blondish hair and Michael was fairly sure that he had band and science with the boy.
Behind him was a girl with long red hair and a cat shirt, he's pretty sure her name is Lindsey he's seen her taking with Ray a few times but has never talked to her himself.
To his right was a blonde mellophone named Griffon. He had met her through his friend Geoff, who was standing at the front of the trumpet line, next to the other section leaders.
Since Griffon and Geoff were both seniors they had to come to spring visual to help teach the rookies and terrify them with tales of band camp.
She smiled at him and then went back to talking with the baritone next her.
To his left was a trumpet.
The trumpet was fairly tall with dirty blond hair that stuck up in odd angles, he had black shorts on and some dark blue shirt with a phone box that looked like it was from the 1950's on it
. The boy glanced at Michael flashing a goofy smile that was bigger than his nose. Michael just started at him, half confused, half annoyed.
"Why the fuck is this kid so happy? We've spent the past couple of hours running around and having 4 fucking words pounded into our head. God I can already tell I'm gonna fucking hate this kid."
As much as Michael would love to spend the rest of this miserable practice glaring at the idiot and internally ranting to himself he hears the director strictly calling everyone to attention, and the last thing he wants is that asshole lecturing him for not paying attention.
He faces the front bringing his trombone up into the 'ready front' position and out of his peripheral vision could see trumpet boy doing the same.
The rest of practice was just as boring as the previous hours were. By the end of it Michael was positive he couldn't get any of it wrong even if he wanted to.
On the ride home Michael ranted to Ray way attempting to keep his voice down so he wouldn't disturb the other passengers on the bus.
"I swear to god Ray I'm gonna go fucking nuts. It's the same shit over and over, the staff just repeats themselves 'heel, arch, ball, toe, straight knees, horns up, hit!' I was ready to shoot myself Ray."
Michael chatters as Ray just scoffs at him not taking his eyes off his 3ds "it isn't that bad Michael"
Michael leaned his head back hissing at the sort of blunt pain in his shoulders. "I don't wanna hear it Ray, you've got it easy"
Ray glanced up at him "Hey I resent that Michael, pit has it incredibly hard."
Michael laughed "Oh yeah, how so?" Ray held his head up in a sort of mock snobbish way.
"We have to stand the entire time don't we"
Michael shook his head taking out his 3ds to have a Pokemon battle with Ray. "My apologies, how dare I be so oblivious."
Ray held up the his 3ds "Winner has it harder?" Michael smirked "You know I'm gonna kick your ass right?" Ray grinned back "YOLO"