First Day Jitters
1526 Words
Danny:
My alarm clock made me shoot up from the warmth of my cozy bed and I grumbled. I hit the snooze button and rolled onto my stomach.
"Daniella! It's six-thirty!" I rubbed my eyes slowly, "You're going to be late for your first day of school!" my mom shouted and I realized what she was saying.
"Oh crap!" I quickly got dressed and I ran downstairs slipping on my vans, before grabbing my breakfast. I ate quickly and with my backpack in hand, ran out the door. I got to school right when the passing period started and I ran up the hill into the band room. I wasn't watching where I was going and I slammed right into someone. Hands steadied me and I shook my head and looked up. I was met by the eyes of Jackson.
"Hey speedy," he laughed and I blushed.
"I'm so sorry. I woke up late and just was in a rush," I said trying to sound like I wasn't breathless.
"It's fine, but I am glad I caught you," he smirked and let go of my shoulders.
"Hey Danny, good morning," Mr. McDougal, my band director said.
"Good morning, Mr. McDougal," I responded and helped the other band percussionists set up all the equipment. During the setup, Jackson and I exchanged looks and funny faces.
"Danny, you okay?" Mike asked looking at me and following my gaze.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I bit the inside of my lip.
"Alright, class we're getting into a new concert season. Now, we are going to go through all 12 scales and then I think I'm going to hand out festival music," Mr. McDougal said, lifting his hands to start the scales. I played the Marimba to my best ability through all 12 scales. The bell rang, ending band and I cleaned up. Jackson walked over and picked up our backpacks.
"Thanks," I said, taking my backpack from him.
"Wow, all 12 scales on the first day of school," he said, laughing softly.
"Oh yeah, it was a blast playing a mallet instrument," I said with as much sarcasm as possible.
"What's your next class?" he walked with me to my locker.
"Honors Bio. You?" I spun the dial and unlocked the white locker quickly.
"English. I'll see you at lunch," he said and I stood up with my books in hand.
"Okay bye," he gave me a tight hug and walked off to class. I couldn't stop the smile from forming on my face. I walked over to the science building and into room 427. I took a seat next to Ed.
"So you and Jackson?" he smirked at me and I shook my head.
"Yeah," I said and he made a gagging sound while pointing his finger at his mouth.
"Good afternoon class," Mrs. Franklin said to us, "Turn to page 16 in your textbooks and start the Chapter 1 Section 4 notes on the ocean. They are due tomorrow. That is all," She sat at her desk and picked up her book. I rolled my eyes and opened my book and started the five pages of notes.
"So, how long have you been a drummer?" Ed asked writing the title on his page.
"I've been playing the drums since sixth grade," I answered continuing my Cornell notes. The bell rang and I got up to walk to my third class, Geometry. I walked over the room 121 and sat in a seat towards the back.
"Hey, class! Today we are learning about graphing," my math teacher Mr. Waltz said passing out a worksheet, "Which axis do we look at first?" he asked and everyone around me looked at him in blank stares, "Who's my victim? Ah! Yes, Daniella," I frowned and took a deep breath.
"You start with the x-axis," everyone around me was saying they knew that, and 'oh yeah that was what slipped my mind.' I rolled my eyes and went back to finishing the worksheet.
"Daniella, may I see you for a second?" my head shot up and my heart started to pound. What did I do? Wait! It's only the first day, there shouldn't be anything wrong.
"Yes sir," I said under my breath and walked to his desk.
"So I hear that you're in the marching band and your teacher tells me that you will need to be out of my class for an 8th-grade presentation," I nodded my head and looked up from my hands, "I will have to say no to that. This is my class time and you need to tell your band director that, that it is not acceptable," my heart sank and I frowned. He led me to the door and I pulled out my phone as soon as my butt hit the desk chair in my next class. I texted Jackson. My phone buzzed in my hands and I looked at it.
Jackson: You have to be there it's school-related. Just talk to Mr. McDougal. See you soon Dan.
"Hey, Danny. Do you want me to sign your permission slip now or later?" Miss Zimmerman, my English teacher, asked looking down at me with a bright smile.
"Now, if that's okay," she took the paper from my hands and signed it quickly, "Thanks, Miss Zimmerman," I said and she nodded for me to take my seat. I read through the pages of the short story, 'The Most Dangerous Game'. This story is so messed up, but I can't help but love it. The bell rang and I headed out to lunch. Hands covered my eyes and I stopped mid-step.
"Guess who?" the voice said and I turned around to face Jackson.
"Hi," I simply said. He gave me a smile.
"Are you buying lunch?" he asked opening the band room door.
"Yeah," I dropped all of my books on the floor next to all the battery equipment.
"Okay let's go then," he led the way over to the lunch line by the PE lockers. After lunch, I headed to my language class, I'm going to be taking French this year. I took a seat in the back and my French teacher, Madame Vivienne, greeted us.
"Bonjour classe! Ca va?" she asked us.
We all replied in unison, "Très bien, et vous?" she continued through the lecture. I finally headed over to my Ceramics class with Mr. Zhang. We had a short lecture on safety and afterward, I went over all my music for the marching show. My last class of the day was marching band. After the long and brutal practice, I just wanted a cold shower. My clothes were sticking to me and I had a sweat mark in the shape of my harness. A scream caught my ears and I set my bass down by the band room. I walked towards the noise and a girl came running at me at full speed.
"RUN! RUN!!" She grabbed my hand and pulled me behind a bush area.
"Why are we hiding?" I asked taking off my harness.
"I poured a grape slush on my boyfriend's head," she smiled at her prank and looked at me.
"I am Georgie Henderson by the way," she stuck out her hand and I shook it quickly.
"My name is Danny Anderson," she smiled, then looked at my harness.
"Are you in the marching band?" I nodded and pointed to the drum next to us.
"I play bass," she smiled and looked over the bush.
"That's so cool. I wish I had a musical bone in my body. I can play the triangle. I'm in Varsity Cheer," she laughed and I saw a boy walk towards the bush that we were hiding behind.
"Is that him?" I whispered and she nodded quickly.
"Gotcha! Georgie! I am going to kill you!" he shouted lifting her from the bushes. He stopped and looked at me strangely.
"Who is this?" he arched his eyebrow at me.
"Adam, this is Danny. I almost ran her over running from your slushy covered a*s," Georgie said, giving him a small kiss.
"Nice to meet you, Danny. What do you play in the band?" He asked looking at my drum and harness.
"Bass drum. I would love to stay and chat, but I need to go," Georgie looked at me with sad eyes.
"Wait! Give me your number first. I would love to get to know you better," I slid on my harness and placed my drum back on my chest.
"Yeah me too!" I handed her my phone and she typed quicker than I could follow.
"I'll text you later tonight," I said and walked into the band room. On my way home I sent a text to Georgie.
Danny: Hey Georgie, it's Danny, it was nice meeting you today!
Georgie: OMG hi Danny!!! You're such a sweetheart! We should hang out this weekend!
Danny: I'm actually really busy this weekend.
Georgie: Oh, with what?
Danny: I have a marching band comp this weekend. You and Adam should come :)
Georgie: Girl, I'm THERE! Time and place?
Danny: 3:57. Randy Morris High School.
Georgie: Awesome! See you then!
- Writer
