Thread: Opposite and Adjacent {SailingSam & AnnaBeth Belle}

As you wish, Tori replied in a super calm voice after it was obvious that Reina's diatribe had wound down to that post-angry lash out point where she needed to make her escape, or grand exit as the petite redhead probably thought it was. If Reina thought her little tirade was going to rock Tori back in her heels, well cheer shoes actually, then she wasn't as smart as Tori thought she was. She might have been able to scare another band kid into trembling, dropping their sharps into flats or something, but to a cheerleader? Please. Tori stood exactly as she had been, not moving, and watched Reina until she was out the door and it sighed shut then paused before the final click of the mechanism pulled it closed. So Reina wanted her to take it up with the band director. Fine. And everyone, even band geeks, knew what Fine meant in girl talk. Madison. I need you to go pick- You've never heard of texting? Hello? Madison, Tori's understudy as the head of the JV squad, interrupted the phone call. Some things you don't put in texts, Tori explained, voice showing her annoyance at being interrupted. And, she laughed, some things you do as someone is about to find out. Oh, this sounds juicy! Madison stopped complaining. Who am I picking up? Bethany. She's a fish. What are we doing with a freshman? She cries about everything, right? Tori prompted. Yeah? And? In the background Madison could be heard picking up her purse and keys. And I need a cryer. Bring her over to my house. We've got work to do. Tori was all but shivering in happy anticipation. Unusual for this time of morning the doors to the band hall were already unlocked and lights were on inside. Mr. Stevens wasn't known to be an early riser, for all he fell asleep in class sometimes, and had long ago given a spare key to Reina to open things up in the morning. Today though it seemed he had come to work early and was in his office. Through the long glass window that looked out into the band hall Reina could see Mr. Stevens sitting behind his desk looking unusually alert and concerned. Tori sat across from his desk, one arm around the shoulder of a much younger, smaller girl who was hunched over with her head in her hands, body twitching as she sobbed. Mr. Stevens noticed Reina through the window and motioned her over. Tori glanced up at the arm wave, met Reina's eyes, and gave a coldly cat-like smile then let worried compassion slide back as a mask and looked back at the younger girl beside her. Reina, thank goodness you're here, he said. We've, uh, we've got something of problem. A real pickle. Strong words for Mr. Stevens. Um, it uh, it seems that one of our musicians, he always called them musicians, like it was a special honor or something, has been a little... his voice lowered, ...naughty to um... Bethany, Tori supplied, voice helpful and so coolly innocent that butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. Yes, Bethany, at the double mention of her name the girl, one of the freshman squad cheerleaders, hiccuped out a sob and began crying even more as Tori murmured soothingly to her and rubbed her back. Mr. Stevens's fingers twitched and grabbed at a pencil, twiddling it then putting it down. Our musician was, er... his fingers and thumbs made a gesture and Tori helpfully supplied Was texting? Oh, yes. Thank you, Tori. You're so helpful, just like Reina. Barely resisting the urge to look at Reina and grin at how that must have hurt, Tori kept her charade in place. Would you like me to explain it, Mr. Stevens? I mean, it's probably easier girl to girl? Please, he said quickly and stood up to go to the corner of his office and look at old panoramic photos of the band, trying to pretend he wasn't even in the room. One of the band boys, a junior, has been harassing poor Bethany. Sending her the most awful texts and really being inappropriate with her. I mean, she's just a freshman. It's not fair the way he's preying on her and the things he's texting, her voice was horrified. He said he wanted to- Bethany wailed and began crying harder. Shh, it's okay, honey. Tori's going to fix this. Shhh. She pulled Bethany into a hug and lowered her head into the other girl's hair, not out of compassion but to let out the satisfied smirk she just couldn't hold back. Bethany wanted to tell her mom, who would go to the principal and then there would be a big, big investigation and Mr. Stevens agreed that would be bad for the band. For his program. Right, Mr. Stevens? Mmm, yes. Yes, yes, yes. he said without turning around, going up and down on the balls of his feet. But Bethany came to me, because I'm like every cheerleader's big sister, and she knew I could help her. And I don't want anything bad to happen to the band. I mean, you guys are like the heart of the school. Gag. Gag and die. So I came and talked to Mr. Stevens and he thinks that the best thing to do is sit the boy out a few performances, let him learn a lesson by not participating, and we'll just keep this whole thing between ourselves so no one else has to know. I mean, we don't want a scandal. A junior boy texting, sexting really, a freshman girl? So Mr. Stevens is going to sit him out and then everything will be fixed. Right, Mr. Stevens? Yes, what Tori said. He turned and looked apologetically at Reina. I, um, I need you to break the news to him. The band members look up to you, you're a leader just like Tori. Okay, now the shoe was on the other foot and Tori couldn't quite hide the displeasure she felt at being compared to Reina. Tell Michael he's out for three performances. Michael Brigham, the lead trumpet and a crucial pivot and follow person for one entire side of the band. His absence would put a huge wrinkle in their marching and everyone on that entire side was going to be thrown off. Now, um, I need to make a phone call. Private so you girls, he motioned to the door and Tori stood up, arm still around the crying Bethany. As she walked past Reina, Tori smiled her bitchiest smile and spoke so only Reina could hear. Suck it up, Buttercup.