Swallow by Sam Schill

Author:Sam Schill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wattpad Books

17

Mildred loathed the thought of band practice in the middle of this nightmare she’d suddenly plunged into, but she knew that if she didn’t go, there would be hell to pay from Tiffany Cosby.

Compared to Mildred, Tiffany was pint sized, but she wielded a powerful influence over the artistic and intellectual groups of students at Roanoke High. Mildred was already on rocky terrain with both groups and didn’t want to risk backlash from them.

There was also the matter of behaving as normally as possible.

The Waco house was empty and squeaky clean, with Naomi nowhere in sight. Mildred went to her bedroom and reached for her tuba case with the same effort she often applied to pick it up, but tumbled backward from the excessive force. The instrument was lighter. She flung the strap of the clunky case over her head so that it rested across her torso from right shoulder to left hip. It felt as heavy on her back as it ever did. Tyler’s girthy arms flashed in her mind.

She pressed onward, past the thought of her terrible crime, and got on her moped.

Only a few cars littered the parking lot when she pulled in, but it looked like all band members had arrived. Unlike Mildred, they’d made it on time. In her haste, Mildred stumbled a few times under the swinging weight of her tuba before she took it off her back and held it more steadily in her arms as she shuffled to the school’s door. Music notes floated out of the music room, then stopped flat.

“You’re late, Mildred,” Tiffany spat, her tone very condescending. “You should try to be early. You need more practice than any of us.”

One look at Mr. Philpot, the music teacher, told Mildred that he was certainly not going to reprimand his prize student at Mildred’s expense. His lips were tight and his arms crossed as he glared at Mildred with contempt. Normally, she would cower and apologize, but this day was different. She faced Tiffany. Mildred didn’t look away as Aaron’s attitude spilled out of her.

“I’m sorry, it just took longer to wade through the air of bitchiness you left behind on your way in here,” Mildred said brazenly.

Tiffany gasped as though she’d been physically hit. “Did you just call me a bitch?”

“There are a lot of other things I could call you,” Mildred said.

“Would you prefer cu—”

“Miss Waco! That is enough!” Mr. Philpot finally spoke, his words loud and sharp.

Tiffany didn’t retort but her eyes narrowed menacingly at Mildred, then she flipped her hair and settled in front of her keyboard, her delicate fingers spreading across the keys.

“See me after practice, Mildred,” Mr. Philpot said.

Of course, I’m the bad one, Mildred thought. She got in position with her clunky tuba, bumping into a few students in the process. Mr. Philpot tapped the metal music stand in front of him with his conductor’s wand. Everyone readied their instruments.

Practice went on forever. Mildred messed up just as much as usual, but everyone else’s playing was improving, making hers worse by comparison.

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