The player fell and he dropped his football just a little bit aways from the goal. The crowd groaned as the other team's band stood up and began to play, taunting the other side.

"Show-offs," Cory muttered from behind his group, "They think that since they win every other game, they could win this."

"Well, Dilond High is pretty good at football," Caeden replied, looking back at his friend.

Erin eyed the other band while clutching her cold instrument close. With their funky uniforms and dazzling bling seen from the other side of the football field, you could actually feel their confidence. Luckily, Halftime wasn't far away.

Oh boy, Halftime. That was both a good thing and a bad thing. It meant that they were halfway done with the game and she was closer to getting out of her band uniform. It made her look fat, but Halftime also meant something else and that something was a thing Erin didn't particularly like.

"You okay, Erin?" Makayla nudged Erin on the shoulder, "You freaked out?"

"N-no not really..."

"Hey, you got plenty of practice," Caeden said, "You were actually pretty good for a Freshman."

Erin blushed at the comment.

"Hey Erin!" someone called from below her.

Erin looked down to the seats below her. Two girls holding clarinets were giving her thumbs-up.

"SSSSHHH!" Erin ssh-ed loudly. The two clarinet girls giggled and turned back around.

Ugh, Violet and Ally are so annoying.

"Who were you shushing?" Cory asked from behind her.

"Aww, cut her some slack, will ya?" Makayla responded before Erin could.

Cory opened his mouth for a comeback, but right then, a whistle was heard, signaling Halftime.

"Well," Caeden stood up, "Time to go."

The rest of the Trombones stood up as well and followed their leader, Erin following last. This would be the first time doing the Trombone Suicide for her. Even after a lot of practice and reassurance from her friends, she still felt unnerved.

The group of trombones walked onto the track surrounding the football field.

"Hey guys," Adelle walked up to them, trombone in hand. Even though she was a Drum Major, she was still able to participate in the Suicide.

"You ready?" Mr. Candle, the band director asked them.

"Totally." Caeden said, grinning from ear to ear.

Mr. Candle grinned back and patted Caeden on the shoulder as he walked by. He looked at Erin.

"This your first time?" He asked.

"Yes, Mr. Candle," Erin replied.

"Well, good luck," he patted Erin on shoulder as well.

The crowd cheered as the line of trombones walked onto the middle of the track with the drumline beside them. They stood in a line with their heads down and trombone in the middle.

Then, they snapped their heads and trombones up in unison and the crowd screamed. Erin glanced into the stands, expecting to see Ash filming her on her phone, but she wasn't there.

Then, the drums began tapping and it began.

Trombone suicides go really fast. You are relying on the beat from the percussion and the sometimes your sight. You need to see if the people next to you are in time as well so you don't hit them.

Caeden's words replayed in her head and Erin's focus became razor sharp.

Then, the beat stopped.

So did they.

The cheering of the crowd came rushing back to Erin as the sound of her beating heart left her ears. Even the other team's band applauded.

Makayla hugged Erin.

"Hey, you did great, girl!" She said on the way back to the stands.

"Yeah, almost hit my face. Great job," Cory said vitriolicly.

"Hey, it was her first time," Caeden cut in, "I think she did pretty well."

He grabbed Erin in for a hug, who let out a cry of surprise.

"I'm proud of you, Freshman," he said before letting go.

Poor Erin could only nod and blush at her Junior.

Damn, her face might as well stay red if she was going to blush this much.

° • ○ ● ○ • °

Erin sighed as she took off her band uniform and smelled her sweaty clothes underneath. Ugh, she really needed a shower right now. Her friends were also taking off the uniforms with much pleasure. After four hours of being stuck in that stiff uniform, who wouldn't want to take it off?

Ash was unusually quiet as she took off her marching shoes. Her eyes were glazed over as if her mind was in another word and she moved without much motivation.

"Hey Ash," Ally called out ,"You oka-"

"No, I'm not f○○king okay!!" She said out loud, eyes on the verge of tears.

"Hey woah-"

Ash huffed and quickly folded up her uniform and stuffed her shoes into the box. Tears were falling down her cheeks now.

"Ash-"

"Just leave me alone!"

She walked quickly away from her friends, leaving Erin and the others wonder about what had happened.

¤ ¤ ¤

Author's Corner
Hello. Author-San here. I put up a video for those who do not know what a Trombone Suicide is and in case you're wondering, yes, this story is based on a true story. It happened to a friend I know. Thank you for reading this far and I will do my very best to update as soon as I can.