He stared at her from across the room and smiled. Unsure of what do, she looked away and did her best to focus on the music that was given to her. The song was nothing new as she had been using it as a practice song for years; however, this had been the first time she had played with a whole different group of musicians.
She had maintained good grades and had been one of the top performers at her middle school so because of it she had been accepted into the Ulysses S. Grant magnet program and had been given an invitation to attend the USG HS Summer band camp. So far things had been going a lot better than expected. She had come to meet new people and a majority of the musicians were a year or two older than she was.
After band practice was over, Amy decided to take a walk in the woods before heading back and calling it a night. In about ten minutes she arrived at a stream. There she found a simple table and took a seat while looking at the stream as well as the stars that were beginning to make their appearance over head.
"You know," said a voice from behind her. As Amy turned to see him standing there, he spoke again, "You shouldn't be out here all alone, you never know what kind of creep can come out of those bushes."
Ricky mentioned to the table. "Mind if I sit?" he asked.
Amy just shrugged so Ricky took that as a yes and sat next to her. "I've been watching you play," Ricky said to her. "You're pretty good at that thing. Compared to everyone else, you're a pro. How long you been playing?"
"Since third grade," was her simple reply.
"No kidding, why the french horn?"
Amy shrugged. "So what about you, why the drums?"
"It gives me something to hit since I can't hit people."
Amy was suddenly worried.
"Relax," Ricky said sensing her fear, "I'm not an abuser or anything. My father was never a nice man so I pretend I'm hitting him."
Before Amy could ask him about it, Ricky stuck out his hand and said, "I'm Ricky."
"Amy," she said shaking his hand.
"Amy," he repeated, "that's a nice name."
The two of them continued to talk a little bit with Ricky occasionally throwing a rock in the stream. Amy had come to learn that Ricky was a sophomore at Ulysses S. Grant which gave Amy some comfort- knowing there would be at least one other person besides Madison and Lauren that she would know.
"Hey," said Ricky, "Let's get out of here. What do you say, do you want to do something?"
"Do something?"
"Yeah- my roommates left today so I've got the place all to myself. I dont' know about you but it's getting dark out here and I really don't want to be alone tonight."
Amy nodded, "I really don't want to be alone tonight either."
Ricky smiled, "Great."
The two of them then stood up from the table and walked to Ricky's bunkhouse; both of them not knkowing that this would be a night neither of them could take back.
The following day was the last day of band camp. Come the afternoon parents were arriving to pick up their kids. As Amy's father helped to place her stuff in the car, Amy looked around for Ricky. Since the night they spent together, Amy had not seen him all day. He even failed to show up at their last band rehersal.
"Hey," said her father, "you okay?"
Amy nodded.
"You sure, who are you looking for?"
"No-no- no one. Dad can we just go?"
"Okay. Are you sure there's no one you want to say bye to: the band director, some friends?"
"There's, there's no one. I'm just ready to go home."
"Okay," her father said as the two of them got in the car.
Ricky watched Amy leave from a distance behind a tree. All he could do was smile and then walk away.