Fortissimo: Chapter One (part one)

Macy flipped a light switch and the apartment filled with a weak yellow light. I looked, a little disappointed, at my surroundings. "Here we are," Macy swept her hand dramatically as if showing some grand prize won in a TV show. Really, it was just a small living room that opened up into a kitchen. To our right, a small cushioned couch sat behind a tiny TV. Beyond that, I could see a few brown oak drawers and a sink built next to the wall.

"So, what do you think?" Macy turned to me, her face bright. I tried not to look too disappointed.

"Yeah, it's great," I answered, trying to sound happy. But it was hard not to compare the apartment with my old large estate I used to live in with my mom and dad. It had over a dozen windows and a gigantic oaky door that used to swing open every time I would come home... I offered a weak smile to Macy.

"Here, I'll show you your room," said Macy, picking up my suitcase. She bounded away happily towards the hallway. I sighed, picking up my other bag and case, and followed her. The hallway wasn't very long - we passed only one door before reaching the end. Macy motioned to a door on the left. "That's your room," she turned the knob and opened the door. Inside, my old bed and dresser were already moved back in. Both pieces of furniture made the entire room look like it were built for an elf.

"Cool, thanks..." I trailed off walking in and setting my bag down on the bed.

"Alright, my room's on the other side right across from yours." She took in a sweeping view of my room, and then me. "Listen, it will feel more like home once you make it your own," she reassured. Macy glanced at her watch. "I'll be making supper, if you need me." With that, she walked off, while whistling, to the kitchen.

As soon as she was gone, I shut the door and locked it. I looked around my room, taking in everything. There was a window seat, a shallow closet, and then my two pieces of furniture. I looked down at my feet. The rough carpet looked like a sea of angry brown pigeons, very much unlike my lush, white sea of doves at my old house. Wincing, I looked up at the wall. It was white, thank God not an ugly color. I would of survived (barely) with a color like purple or pink, but I was glad it was just white.

'It will feel more like home once you make it your own,' Macy's words echoed across my mind. I let out a breath. Might as well give it a try. I unzipped the suitcase which held all of my clothes. Slowly and carefully, I unpacked each one, placing them into my drawers. I picked up my blue and white spotted dress lovingly. I remember I got it in the spring... All I had was winter clothes, and I needed a change since the weather was warming up quickly. Mom had bought me it after church one Sunday, and she had gotten her a dark navy blue dress to match mine... I hung it up on a hanger, smiling to myself. After I unpacked my clothes, I slid the suitcase under my bed.

Looks better already, I thought to myself. Feeling better, I began to unpack the second bag. It was filled to the brim with bubble wrap and styrofoam, because it held mainly valuables. I took out a picture of me and my parents. It was inside a plain wooden frame decorated with beads I had glued on before. I set it up on my dresser, smack dab in the middle. I turned back to my bag. Pulling out a small angel figurine, I smiled. Rachel had gotten me this as a going-away gift. We had both loved collecting such things, and often traded with each other at Christmas. Too bad this was the last one we would be able to trade... I set it out to the right of the picture on my dresser.

My OCD was telling me I needed something on the left side to balance it out, so I took out my small piggy bank my auntie had gotten me. Before, I had not had a need for a piggy bank, as all my money was in a real bank account. "Why did they lose money? What do you mean I don't have anything?" I remember I had asked Macy not too long ago.

"They spent it all - gambling. They had been using your money, Alexandra." Macy hadn't tried to suger-coat it when telling about where all the money had gone. I was glad she didn't. I don't appreciate when people don't tell the entire truth.

After I unpacked and put away my "valuable's bag", I took my trumpet and set it down on the window seat. 'I'll practice a little after dinner.' I thought slowly. There wasn't actually a whole lot I could practice - just some flow studies and warm-ups in a packet I had kept from my old school. I took my final bag and set it next to my trumpet on the window seat.

"Alexandra, dinner," Macy yelled back, right on time. I unlocked and opened the door, shutting it behind me. Warm, beefy smells of home-made soup made my mouth water. I hadn't realized how hungry I was till now. The six hour drive from Jugopolis to Wellsdon had apparently gotten to me. Macy smiled, gloved hands and all from behind a big steaming pot of soup. "Soup's on," she beamed.

The soup was warm and creamy, and it reminded me a lot of the kind mom used to make. "What's in this," I asked, stirring it up.

"Cream of chicken, beef, carrots, beans, and a secret ingredient." She looked at me and smiled.

"What kind of secret ingredient?" I snorted. "Happiness and love, something cheesy like that?"

Macy stared back at me. "No. Hot sauce. I always put hot sauce in my soup." I nodded, taking another spoonful. Macy scraped up the last of her bowl, and went to the pot for seconds. "So, I was thinking, what we should do tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? It'll be Sunday."

"Yeah, I think we should stop by church though. You could meet some new people, and probably a lot that go to your new school. I nodded, thinking about it. I had only been to church on holidays, and then when Macy had taken me a few Sundays each month when she could pick me up. My parents had never been all that religious, but I had liked it. I had gotten saved when I was about 10, and my parents always claimed they were, though I could never really see it on a day to day basis.

"Oh, yeah. That might be fun," I commented, finishing up with my bowl. I set it in the sink and sat down at the table again. Actually, I was a nervous-wreck about meeting someone that went to my school... "You know anything else about the new school?"

Macy nodded, reaching for the pile of mail on the center of the plastic table. "Actually, yeah. Apparently they send these newsletters and handbooks out right before school starts to all the students." She started to read off of a piece of paper. "Dear students, once again the new school year is rolling around and we are excited for a brand new year of learning with you. Please remember to bring in all required forms, filled out from top to bottom, including the handbook agreement form, the photo agreement form, and the emergency medical form. Seniors, make sure to come to the mandatory meeting regarding pictures and scholarships tomorrow in the high school cafeteria at 2:30 p.m." Macy paused, eating a spoonful of soup. "College credit plus students, yada yada yada, turn in evalutaion forms, blabedy blabedy blah..." She looked back up at me. "That's pretty much it. Here's the school handbook form, and then a band brochure thing they included. The lady in the office actually said the director edited it a few weeks ago, so it should be pretty fresh." She slid two small booklets across the table to me and winked.

I grinned. "Thanks," I said, grabbing them. "I'll be in my room if you need me." With that I walked off swiftly in the direction of my room. Once again, after I was inside, I shut and locked the door. I moved my trumpet and bag off of the window seat, and sat down. I flipped open the handbook first to the table of contents (better to save the best for last). Dress Code and Regulations, was on page 16. 'Might as well look at that,' I thought to myself, while flipping to the page. Snuggling in on the cushioned seat, I began to read...

At Wellsdon High, we cherish our students' education, and respect them. We ask you as parents and students, to do the same. Below are listed the clothing and attire not allowed at Wellsdon High on campus, or at any school function.

No flip flops or open heel/toe shoes.

No sphaghetti straps.

No shorts or skirts that come above fingertips.

No hats.

I chuckled to myself. Like any of this was going to be a problem. All I ever wore was jeans, sweaters, and the occasional scarve. I might switch to shorts and a t-shirt on some days, but even then, the shorts came to my knee, or below. I flipped back to the table of contents. None of the other things really concerned me, I was good with my grades, classroom etiquette I had already mastered...I might need to study the school map on page 22, but I'd do that right before school Monday morning or Sunday night.

Fingers tingling, I reached for the handbook for band. I opened to the first page, my heart racing. I always got excited when it came to music - and no, not the "normal kind" of music people listen to nowadays. I love the music that actually takes talent. Normally, I can't talk that well to new people, or people in general really. But if you mention band, I could talk you to death. Literally, hours on end of my favorite DCI groups, or marching band. I guess I love it because, music is a language we all can speak. It's one we all can understand. Smiling to myself, I began to read.

In the Wellsdon High School band program, our mission is to help students discover a life-long love for music, and become better musicians in the process. Our program consists of concert band, marching band, jazz band, pep band, and solo or chamber ensembles.

Concert Band: The origin of Wellsdon Warriors' music program is concert band. We perform once in a Christmas concert, and once in a Spring concert. All 6th grade - 12th grade band members are required to do concert band, as it is the fundamental aspect of the program.

Marching Band: This year's show is entitled, Dreams, complete with songs by John R. Stuart, and Debby L. Inkle. This show, designed by color guard instructor, Alice White, is an upbeat show of dreams and what can happen happen if you put mind to it.

This Year's Roster:

Drum Major: Sebastian Ruling

Trumpet: Mason Ode, Jacob Idee

Baritone: Abby Bill, Daniel Jenkson, Emma Sliv 

Percussion (Pit): Farrah Weel, Forrest Amingston, Sylvia Bell

Clarinet: Lillith Snow, May Caldin, Jesse Ikle, Aaron Loyah, Marigold Minn

Flute: Eryka Yemmings, Isabel Walters

Percussion (drumline): Jackson Fuer, Dylan Fose, Adam Losse, Ballak Cood, Elizabeth Hitt, Jordan Bane

Sousaphone: Jamie Oak, Ryan Bell

Saxophone: Jake Fare, Tilleul Trunt, Kinsley Armer, Jacinthe Fall, Ashely Litt, Michael Sila

Trombone: Alex Rual, Jayden Core, Wyatt Liff, Noah Reed

Color Guard: Shelby Jade, Ruby Fox, Natalie Wagon, Izzy Sleeve

I frowned to myself. Only two trumpets? "Woodwinds must be pleased," I muttered and read on.

Jazz Band and Pep Band: The Jazz Band and will begin rehearsals shortly after the conclusion of the marching season. Jazz band will be playing at both the Christmas and Spring concerts. The pep band will play at every girls/boys home game. A list of rehearsals will be handed out shortly after the conclusion of marching band.

I sighed, closing the handbook. Marching band. I knew how to march, (in my old school I had been able to do it in 8th grade), but I seriously doubt the band director would let me begin so late into the season. Their first competition was in September, though on the other hand, there were only two trumpets...I opened the handbook again, this time to the last page. Mr. Connor. that's what the director's name was. I looked down the page to a short paragraph about him.

Mr. Connor graduated from Wellsdon High School in May of 2002, and took his old band director's place as director of Wellsdon Bands in 2012. He has earned his bachelor's degree of music eduation with Ohio Christian College, in Ulie, Ohio, and has taught summer brass in several other schools marching band programs.

'Interesting...' I thought to myself, thinking. So he had played brass in high school, probably, since he taught summer brass with other schools... Of course I was interested in a music major, why wouldn't I be? Maybe him playing brass was a sign - maybe.

I often wondered where my 'musical ability' had come from. It was definitely obvious it hadn't come from my parents - and Macy had been more of a 'study hall kid'. She said that I had always loved music as a little girl, but from whom did I get that passion? I sighed, closing the handbook. Not knowing about your own family was one of the worst things in the world.

A soft knock came from my door, and I got up to unlock and open it. Macy was standing on the other side with her tennis shoes and keys. "Wanna' come with me?"

I smiled a little. "Where to," I asked her, reaching for my own shoes.

"I don't know. The grocery store, or we can stop and see if anyone's at the school." I sent up a prayer of thanks. If someone was at the school, I'd probably be allowed to tour it - which would make me feel much better about Monday.

"Okay, I'll go."