Chapter Seven #2
I scowl and hurl another balloon at him. He doesn’t flinch or dodge away. He just stands there and lets me hit him, soaking him all over again. I don’t allow myself to enjoy how the orange fabric perfectly defines each angle of him. My past crush is nothing compared to this present moment.
“ ‘Stop targeting’ says the guy who filled his balloons with vinegar. I can’t believe you, Max.”
Another balloon smacks into my back and I jump. Brody cackles from behind me and then comes to stand next to Max. “I’m loving this guy. He has the best ideas.”
“It was your idea?”
At least Max has the decency to look mildly shamed. “It’s a mixture of vinegar and water. Mom uses it to clean all the time.”
“See, we’re doing you a favor—it’s a way to keep your guard from stinking,” Brody says and slings his arm over Max’s shoulder.
Around me, the shrieking and running is dying down.
Percussion must be almost out of balloons.
“Of course, it won’t keep you from sucking on the field this season, but we can only do so much. ”
“Did you not hear our new color guard chant? I’m pretty sure it’s you guys who suck. All. Day.”
That sets off Brody just like I knew it would. He takes his arm from Max and points a finger at me. “Do not mess with our chant, Hazel. That’s our good luck charm.”
“Good luck? No way!” I mimic and give him a bright grin. I know I’m pushing my luck with Brody, but I can’t stop myself.
Li comes up beside me. “Are you okay?”
Brody sneers at us both. “You wish guard had one ounce of our talent. You’re perpetual losers. Color guard is always bringing down the band, and from what I’ve seen, this season will be no different.”
Li falls back a step, her eyes wide. The fire inside me burns brighter until all I see is red. She’s just a baby freshman, still full of excitement and optimism, and I will not let Brody and Max taint the guard for her.
“Color guard is going to blow your percussion section out of the water this year,” I retort. “You’re going to choke on all the Superior ratings we receive. In fact, I bet we’ll be the first to win a best in show award this season.”
“You didn’t get a single Superior rating last year!” Brody cries. “That vinegar must be messing with your brain.”
A few people laugh, which does nothing to dampen my anger. He isn’t wrong…but there’s nothing like pure spite to inspire a person.
Madisyn, Addison, and Devin, my fellow senior guard members, come up on my other side. I see more of the guard behind them. “Hazel, calm down,” Madisyn says. “What are you doin—”
I wave her away. All our reputations are on the line and I’m not going to take one more insult from anyone in percussion.
“You should listen to your friends,” Brody tells me with a smirk. “There’s no way you can back up that bet. Percussion will easily get a best in show trophy before you do.”
“If you’re so sure, then why don’t you take my bet?”
“What are the stakes? More Popsicles?”
I bite the inside of my cheek and try to decide. They all think they’re so much better than us, but they have no idea how difficult color guard actually is. I want to make them eat their words. I want to embarrass them with the whole band watching, just like they’re trying to do to us right now.
And then an idea comes to me.
“When we win, the entire percussion section has to learn our competition show—every piece of it—and perform it in front of the whole band. We’ll see how cocky you are when you smack yourself in the face with a five-foot-long flag pole.”
Brody scoffs, and I stand taller. I can already imagine them making total fools of themselves. The idea makes me giddy.
“I wouldn’t smile just yet,” Brody replies, his eyes glinting maliciously.
“This year, Sire assigned the percussion section to clean the men’s stadium restrooms at the end of the season.
We had to do it last year too, and it was nasty.
Have you seen a urinal trough before, Hazel?
Or had to change out a urinal cake? Because you’re going to.
” He looks to his section members and crosses his arms over his chest. “When we win, the color guard will be taking over that cleaning for us. And you will hate it.”
A few percussion guys and Devin all nod adamantly.
Behind me, other guard members are groaning and making fake retching sounds.
Everyone hates the end of season cleaning, which is Sire’s idea of community service, but the guard has never done anything like that before.
Usually we just help clean the concession stand.
My resolve wavers. For once Brody is right—I really don’t want to clean urinals. But it’s too late now for second-guessing or backing down. The only solution is for us to win.
I put my hands on my hips. “Since we won’t be losing, I’m not concerned. I can’t wait to watch you fall all over yourselves on the practice field at the end of the season. I’ll be bringing popcorn for the show.”
Brody sneers. “You’re on. It’s your funeral.” He glances around. “We’re out of balloons already? Good, I’m sick of this game.” He turns his back on me and walks to the sideline. Against my better judgment, I look to Max, but he’s already turned away.
I blink and take a few steps back. My heart is beating so fast I feel dizzy. Did I actually just come up with that bet?
“Nice going,” Madisyn snaps. “You always have to poke the bear. Now we’re covered in vinegar and we’re going to have to clean disgusting restrooms when we lose.” She and her friends give me annoyed looks and stalk away to the parking lot. Other guard members are glaring as well.
Li comes to my side. Her black bob frames her round face, and her eyes are large behind her bright pink glasses. “Don’t listen to them,” she whispers. “Thanks for standing up for the guard. You’re the best captain ever.”
My heart twinges. “Thanks for the moral support.” I give her a quick, squelching hug. “We’ve got this, right?”
She nods happily. “Totally. We’ll show them.”