The Wave

"It's the feeling that you're part of something that's more important than yourself," Mr Ross was telling them. "You're a movement, a team, a cause. You're committed to something —"

I think we ought to be committed all right," someone mumbled, but the near-by students hushed him.

"Like discipline," Mr Ross continued, "to understand community fully you have to experience it and participate in it. From now on, our two mottoes will be, "Strength Through Discipline" and "Strength Through Community". Everyone, repeat our mottoes."

Around the room, students rose beside their desks and recited the slogans: "Strength Through Discipline, Strength Through Community."

A few students, including Laurie and Brad, did not join them, but sat uncomfortably in their chairs as Mr Ross had the class repeat the mottoes again. Finally Laurie rose, and then Brad. Now the entire class stood beside their desks.

"What we need now is a symbol for our new community," Mr Ross told them. He turned back to the board and, after a moment's thought, drew a circle with the outline of a wave inside it. "This will be our symbol. A wave is a pattern of change. It has movement, direction, and impact. From now on, our community, our movement will be known as The Wave." He paused and looked at the class standing at stiff attention, accepting everything he told them. "And this will be our salute," he said, cupping his right hand in the shape of a wave, then tapping it against his left shoulder and holding it upright. "Class, give the salute," he ordered.

The class gave the salute. Some hit their right shoulders instead of their left. Others forgot to hit their shoulders entirely. "Again," Ross ordered, making the salute himself. He repeated the exercise until everyone had it right.

"All right," their teacher said when they'd got it. Once again the class could feel the resurgence of power and unity that had overwhelmed them the day before. "This is our salute and our salute only," he told them. "Whenever you see another Wave member, you will salute. Robert, salute and give our mottoes."

Standing stiffly beside his seat, Robert performed the salute and replied, "Mr Ross, Strength Through Discipline, Strength Through Community."

"Very good," Ben said. "Peter, Amy, and Eric, salute and recite our motto with Robert."

The four students obediently saluted and chanted, "Strength Through Discipline, Strength Through Community."

"Brian, Andrea, and Laurie," Mr Ross commanded. "Join them and repeat."

Now seven students joined in the chant, then fourteen, then twenty, until the whole class was saluting and chanting loudly in unison. "Strength Through Discipline, Strength Through Community." Like a regiment, Ben thought, just like a regiment.

In the gym after school, David and Eric sat on the floor in their football practice jerseys. They were a little early for practice and were having a heated debate.

I think it's dumb," Eric said as he tied the laces on his cleats. "It's just a game in history class, that's all."

"But that doesn't mean it couldn't work," David insisted. "What do you think we learned it for, anyway? To keep it a secret? I'm telling you, Eric, this is just what the team needs."

"Well, you're gonna have to convince Coach Schiller of that," Eric said. "And I'm not going to tell him."

"What are you scared of?" David asked. "You think Mr Ross is gonna punish me because I tell a couple of people about The Wave?"

Eric shrugged. "No, man. I think they're gonna laugh."

Brian came out of the locker room and joined them on the floor.

"Hey," David said, "what do you think of us trying to get the rest of the team into The Wave?"

Brian tugged at his shoulder pads and thought about it. "You think The Wave could stop that sixteen stone linebacker from Clarkstown?" he asked. "I swear, that's all I think about. I keep picturing me calling for the ball and then this thing appears in front of me, this giant thing in a Clarkstown uniform. It steps on my centre, it squashes my guards. It's so big I can't go left, I can't go right, I can't throw over it ..." Brian rolled on his back on the floor and pretended someone was bearing down on him. "It just keeps coming and coming. Ahhhhhhhhhh!"

Eric and David laughed, and Brian sat up. "I'll do anything," he told them. "Eat my Wheaties, join The Wave, do my homework. Anything to stop that guy."

More players had gathered around them, including a junior named Deutsch, who was the second-string quarter­back behind Brian. Everyone on the team knew that Deutsch wanted nothing more in the world than to steal Brian's position from him. As a result, the two of them didn't get along.

I hear you say you're afraid of the Clarkstown team?" Deutsch asked Brian. "I'll take your place, man, just say the word."

They let you into the game and we'll have no chance at all," Brian told him.

Deutsch sneered. "The only reasons you're first-string is "cause you're a senior," he said.