"Here you are," My dad slowly placed the car into park.

Longview High Schools marqee board peered back at me.

"Thanks," I muttered, grabbing my case.

"Cleo," I turned to meet his eyes, "we really didn't have a choice."

I got out of the Volkswagen and made my ways to the peeling band hall doors.

I let out a breath of anticipation.

What the hell was I doing here?

Memories flooded back from all four corners of the office, threatening to suffocate me.

God, what if I see him. His eyes locked to mine, his lips..... I shook the thought from my head and entered Mr.Pittmans office.

"Thank you for coming today Cleo," Mr.Pittman smiled at me, "it's certainly been a while."

I attempted to return the smile.

The room was decorated with the trophies that our school had won in the past 18 years.

The photos on the wall held the past of all the band kids. The very last one was a picture of me, Seth, and ......

"Cleo?" Mr. Pittman asked again. I snapped out of my daze.

"Sorry I was just..." I stammered. He followed my gaze to the pictures on the wall.

"Cleo," Mr.Pittman started.

"No," I interjected,"I don't have a choice. So don't sit here and pity me. I don't need you sympathy, or want it."

He faltered, "Anyway, You and Seth were supposed to take up the drum major role this year."

I looked away, trying to stop the tears that were trying to surface. 

Why was I awalys crying?

He cleared his throat akwardly and contuined, "since we are short on talented seniors who are musically able, I was wondering if you're still interested?"

I couldn't control the grin that began to spread across my face.

I would have to create the set, pick a piece of music, assign solos...

"You're doing it all wrong Cleo!" Seth shook his head and stood in front of me. "It's one, two, three. You're lingering at two."

I retraced the pattern in the air he had made with his hands.

He grinned at me, "You and me Cleo, we're going to be the best drum majors this school has ever seen."

"My partner," I cut across my band director.

A look of confusion, or was it guilt,  flashed across his face.

"Who is conducting with me." I pushed on.

Mr.Pittman squirmed in his chair. "That's the thing, I'm not sure if...."

"Hello beautiful."