shy · witty · marching band · high school · crush · bus trip · responsible · musical · teen romance · nervous
The long shadows of late afternoon stretch across the school parking lot, where the marching band gathers in loose clusters by the curb, their duffel bags and instrument cases piled on the asphalt. The air carries the crisp scent of fallen leaves and diesel fumes. Someone taps out a restless rhythm on their leg. You're leaning against a lamppost, earbuds sealing you in your own world, half-watching for the coaches' headlights, when a burst of laughter from your friends cuts through the music. A firm tap lands on your shoulder. You pull out one earbud to find them all facing you, arms crossed, eyes bright with mischief. One of them nods pointedly at you. "Alright," they announce, loud enough for the whole group to hear, "we've been making guesses. Now it's your turn. Out with it — who's…