Billy shook his head.  "No, Jason, you can't help me.  I can help you, though."  He walked over so he was in the middle of the room, standing in front of Jason.  "Amalia Graves.  Man, she needs to go, doesn't she?  She's holding the band back, and more importantly she's cramping your style.  But you're a nice kid who wants to look good for teacher so you agree to tutor her."<br/><br/>As he spoke he looked around the room as if studying it, and then finally his gaze came to rest on Jason.  "You know what the problem is?  You're not good enough.  If you were the best you wouldn't have to put up with losers like her holding you back.  Hell, even your teacher is holding you back and you know it."<br/><br/>Suddenly there seemed to be a shift in Billy's demeanor; his words seemed to acquire a strange resonance.  "I can help you, Jason.  I can give you the chance to be the best, to be better than anyone ever was or will be.  All you have to do is meet the others at the abandoned train station next to school tonight, and then help them sneak onto the football field.  Be there by midnight."<br/><br/>What Billy was saying was completely ridiculous.  What did breaking several school rules and sneaking onto the football field have to do with playing the trumpet better?  And yet somehow, Jason<em>knew</em>in his bones that Billy was telling the truth.  Without any rational reason to be, he was willing to bet his life that Billy's offer was an honest one.<br/><br/>Without waiting for a reply Billy strutted out of the room, pausing only to pat Jason on the shoulder in an encouraging manner on his way out.