//------------------------------// // Basket Balls and Model Planes // Story: Sonata’s Solo // by Pony Bones //------------------------------// Sonata rushed into the locker room as the bell rung marking the beginning of the first class breathing a sigh that she hadn’t arrived any later. Even though she could get some grace because it was her first day she didn’t want to push her luck. Approaching Coach Spitfire’s office Sonata was surprised to see her stretching at her desk as though she were planning on exercising with the students. Sonata had never heard of a coach that did that. Coach Spitfire had a swept back red and orange hair style with aviators sitting on her forehead a whistle hung around her neck and she wore a light blue track suit. Everything about Coach Spitfire said professional and fast. Spitfire saw Sonata coming and asked, “What are you here for?” “I’ve been assigned to your class coach.” Sonata said showing the schedule she had been given. “Sonata Dusk huh? Alright the t-shirts, shorts, and sweats are in those cardboard boxes over there. You can grab one of each.” Sonata could have kissed Coach Spitfire as she did a mental victory dance. A sweat suit was going to be gold compared to the piano cover she had slept under last night. Best of all it was brand new, even if it was saggy. One of the benefits of arriving slightly late to P.E. was that Sonata was able to change in privacy. Walking out of the locker room Sonata was faced with the entire class standing in a box on the basketball court, most of them looking at her. Sonata froze and gulped unintentionally. Thankfully Coach Spitfire walked out right behind her, and introduced her as if it had been planned. “Class this is Sonata Dusk, she’ll be joining us for the rest of the year so be sure to make her feel welcome.” The class responded in a lethargic cacophony, “Yes coach.” Coach Spitfire muttered a few choice words about motivating slackers that made Sonata’s skin crawl. Then she looked at Sonata, “Hurry up and stand at the back right and we’ll get started.” As Sonata was walking to her place a gray boy with a white Mohawk and yellow eyes in the front row gave a big smile in her direction as she passed. Sonata checked over her shoulder to make sure no one was behind her then back at the Mohawk boy. She smiled back quickly then lowered her head to hide her blush. The butterflies in her stomach were quickly squashed when she saw who she would be standing next to. Snips and Snails eyed her maliciously as she walked up. “Hey guys, fancy seeing you again.” Sonata whispered nervously. The pair only scowled deeper and ignored her. Coach Spitfire began calling roll fairly quickly despite the class’s apparent drowsiness. “Hey.” Sonata hissed out the side of her mouth tapping Snips on the shoulder with two of the granola bars she had gotten earlier. Snips gave a surprised look then shook his head, “No thanks lady. You look like you need those more than we do.” Sonata wasn’t sure if she should take that as a compliment for being skinny or if she just looked like Tartarus but she shrugged and put the granola bars away. She had made the offer so they couldn’t blame her that they were hungry. Coach Spitfire finished roll call and announced, “Today we will be playing basketball, Thunderlane warm them up and stretch them out then we’ll pick teams.” “Yes coach.” The gray Mohawk kid replied stepping in front of the class. “Ok let’s start off with some jumping jacks we’ll do twenty. Make sure you have some room, we’re not trying to knock out any teeth this morning.” The class chuckled quietly looking at... the klutzy girl. Sonata hadn’t noticed before but the klutzy girl was standing two rows in front of her. Sonata could tell even standing behind her that the klutzy girl was trying to disappear into her sweater from embarrassment. The class scattered out and did their jumping jacks, some fast, some slow, some just waved their arms. Coach Spitfire put a hand to her face and went back to the locker room. Sonata moved closer to the klutzy girl, she looked very lonely all by herself. The klutzy girl smiled as Sonata came over. “Hey, it’s good to see you again. Are you feeling better this morning?” “Better than I was last night, thank you… Sorry I haven’t asked your name yet.” “That’s all right it’s Derpy Boots.” She replied with a glowing smile. Sonata had the sudden feeling she was being watched and looked around. She didn’t want to get her hopes too high but when she saw Thunderlane watching her intently she smiled and quickly turned back to Derpy Boots. “It looks like Thunderlane is checking you out.” Derpy Boots said waggling an eyebrow. “Yeaaaaaaahhhhhh.” Sonata answered with a goofy smile on her face. “You two are so weird.” Snips said. “Yeah weird.” Snails agreed. “The next warm up will be steam engines, we’ll do another twenty.” Thunderlane shouted when it looked like those who would finish the jumping jacks had done so. Once the warm up and stretches were finished it seemed like Thunderlane had worked his way closer to where Sonata and Derpy were. Then Thunderlane looked her straight in the eyes and said, “Sonata.” “YES!” Sonata replied a little too enthusiastically surprising even herself. “Could you go let Coach Spitfire know we’re done with warmup? I know she’ll want to be one of the team Captains.” “Alright.” Walking into the dimly lit locker room Coach Spitfire’s office shone brightly in the corner by the hallway exit. Sonata could see Coach Spitfire bouncing around her office with a model jet plane in her hand, jumping up on her desk and dramatically spinning around. She made loud whooshing and rat atat tat noises and even talked into her hand to sound like a radio. “Coach Spitfire!” Sonata shouted, not wanting to startle her by sneaking up on her. “Yes!?” Coach Spitfire asked freezing in mid leap. “Thunderlane sent me to let you know the class is all warmed up.” “Alright I’ll be right out.” Sonata turned to leave. “If you tell anyone I’ll give you a towel smack you won’t forget.” Sonata tried, she really tried to hide her giggle but she couldn’t help it. The threat of retribution aside the situation was too ridiculous not to laugh. “Don’t worry Coach your secret’s safe with me.” Sonata’s morning was seeming better already, there was a boy she was pretty sure had a crush on her, a friend that she knew in the class, and a P.E. Coach that played with model planes. Maybe this P.E. wouldn't be so bad after all.