Chapter 1 MUSICAL SCORE I have an exciting announcement to make Mr Byrd our band director clapped his hands to get our attention As many of you are aware there's only one month until winter break That's all it took to get the whole room buzzing Everyone started talking all at once Hey Carmen You can always tell it's almost winter break when Byrd breaks out the holiday beach shirts Davis Beadle said to me This was my first year in room 217 the Benton Bluff Junior High band room And that was one of the first things I'd learned Mr Byrd always showed up to class in tropical shirts khaki shorts and a straw hat The colder temperatures didn't stop him either Today seashells were arranged on a sandy
background but Ho Ho Ho appeared festively as well Before buying that shirt Byrd should've said No No No Davis ended his joke by tapping his drumsticks on his snare drum That was bad Davis Really bad I said holding my own drumsticks to form a giant X Maybe but you smiled I shook my head trying not to encourage him Davis and I were both in the percussion section I'd gotten used to his corny jokes Plus I knew he didn't really mean anything by it Davis loved Mr Byrd just like everyone else in band did Quiet down Mr Byrd said then giving a shrill whistle to get everyone's attention Silence fell across the room and he went on As I was saying I have exciting news A local theater is preparing a production called What's Your Holiday to showcase the diverse ways people celebrate the season Our band has been asked to participate
I knew it Miles Darr said We're going to be famous Miles was our band's self appointed public relations guy He made and uploaded online videos of our performances all the time hoping we'd get discovered So far it hadn't happened And honestly half of the viewer hits were from Miles and his mom watching his videos over and over again Slow down Miles Mr Byrd said This is a small community production that probably won't bring Hollywood agents knocking on our band room door Miles looked disappointed But it will be a great opportunity for us Mr Byrd added Since we only have a month until our big debut I have appointed a theater committee to work on some ideas When I call your name please come forward Mr Byrd reached for a clipboard on his desk and read Miles Darr
Yes Miles said pushing his wheelchair to the front of the room Mr Byrd smiled and went on Hope James Sherman Frye Colby Ellis come on down The way he said it reminded me of my nana’s favorite game show The Price is Right They all followed Miles and lined up beside Mr Byrd And our fifth committee member is Carmen Trochez Mr Byrd finished Me I asked pointing at myself to make sure I'd heard it right Yes you Davis said Boy your face is as pink as the flower in your hair Davis wasn't joking about that My face felt all steamy as I made my way to the front of the room to join the others It didn't help when Zac Wiles stood up and started a round of applause See being the center of attention wasn't my thing At all That was one of the reasons I liked
