“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 guardbehind 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.
“Whenwewin, 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 sectionmembers and crosses his arms over his chest. “When we win, the color guard will be taking over that cleaning for us. And you willhateit.”
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—Ireallydon’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 vinegarandwe’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 roundface, 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.”
Chapter Eight
The color guard is standoffish the next day, which is our last day of camp. I know they’re mad at me, but it’s hard to feel guilty. Only Li and I were there to hear everything Brody said, and I wouldn’t be a good captain if I let that kind of disrespect stand. The bigger issue is that the others seem convinced that we’re destined to be the losers Brody expects us to be. We’re never going to be successful if that’s what they believe. But I’m not sure how to convince them otherwise.
It doesn’t help that we’re all nervous about our performance this afternoon. It’s a long-standing tradition that on the last day of band camp, we wrap up by performing our competition show for our family and friends, followed by a chance for a family member to come march on the field with us. It’s one thing to suck during rehearsal, but it’s another thing to look bad in front of our parents. My parents, especially. I don’t want to start the season by disappointing them.
When the time comes, we watch from the sidelines as our families file into the bleachers. Even though it’s a Friday at three in the afternoon, a surprising number of parents have gotten off work to come. Mine are front and center, wearing green shirts and holdingGlen Vale Knights Color Guardsigns.
“Is this how every band competition feels?” Li asks me. Her eyes are wide and worried behind her glasses.
“Some are worse than others. The good thing is that this crowd is going to cheer no matter how we look.”
Li laughs, but it sounds more painful than happy.
“Ahh! I’m here, I made it!”
