Phoenix Academy had a different program to commemorate the first day of school. Every student from all levels had to present a performance before they were sorted between the two leagues led by Ning Jing and Na Ying. This year though, had been different as each student who entered the gargantuan theater building’s lobby had been faced with a challenge.

Jessica, who had arrived together with seniors, Momo and Aya, found themselves in front of a photobooth and two boxes labeled in Chinese characters. Jessica could only guess what it meant based on the surprised reactions of her two companions.

Aya, noting the blank look of the new student, was quick enough to catch on and decided to translate the rules for her, “Jess, right?”

Jessica nodded, “Yes, and you are? I’m sorry. I’m very bad with names.”

“My name’s Aya and I’m one of the dorm leaders. Nice to meet you. I can see that you’re struggling to understand what was written on the boxes.”

“Yes, can you help me, please?”

“It would be my pleasure.” Aya motioned for Jessica to come closer, standing beside Momo who was already mulling over her decisions. “The box to your left is for those who wish to be a free member while the box to your right is for those who wish to become a leader for one of the leagues led by Ning Jing and Na Ying. You are to put your photo in the box which you chose, so if you want to become a leader, put your photo in the box to the right while if you refuse to become one, choose the one on the left.”

Jessica never hesitated as she approached the one on the left and dropped the picture she had taken at the booth to the box designated for free members. Aya smiled and followed suit while Momo shifted in her feet before finally dropping her photo on the one for the leaders. She then introduced herself to the new student, who shyly smiled back and shook her hand.

The three students then went into a large hall labeled the ‘Celestial Street’, where they found their fellow schoolmates already waiting and making acquaintances. Jessica felt intimidated by the closeness of most of the girls as she watched Er Jie making animated conversations with Wenwen, Tian-ai, and the others.

Even though she had already been introduced to most of them, she still felt apprehensive in approaching her schoolmates. What made her even more daunted was the fact that most of the students who arrived before her had already occupied most of the seats on the first couch, leaving her to settle for the lone couch away from the others.

Jessica smoothened her skirt as she cautiously sat down, watching the others interact for a while before she grew bored. She only stood to greet whenever a newcomer passed the threshold of the hall before sitting back down to mull over her current fate. Her phone’s vibration distracted her for a moment.

Good luck on your first day, unnie! You’re going to be fine. You can do this! XO, Soojungie

A smile grazed her lips as she read her younger sister’s message. Jessica quickly typed a reply before pocketing her phone in her jacket pocket. A few familiar faces entered the great hall, which made her feel obligated to welcome the new arrivals. She stood up and was surprised to feel a hand touch her shoulder. Looking to the hand’s owner, a smile automatically caught her lips as she recognized Xiaolei jie.

“Come, Jessie. Let us meet the others.” Xiaolei jie led her towards the crowd.

“Hey! Xiaolei jie!”

“Oh, hi! You’re Jess, right?”

“Nice to finally meet you!”

“Xiaolei jie!”

“Hello!”

“Hi!”

“You must be the new student! Nice to meet you!”

Jessica felt her world spin as introductions were made between her, Xiaolei jie, and the other students. Her brain felt overloaded from the frequent exchanges in Mandarin, broken English, and some fluent English.

She was more than thankful when Xie Na, their advisor went up the stage, prompting everyone to settle on the couch or in their seats. Jessica felt it odd that the school was very relaxed in allowing their students to lounge on the long sofas and plush chairs. Their current situation seemed quite extravagant for a performance arts school.

“Welcome to Phoenix Academy, everyone!” Xie Na announced as soon as she stood on stage, “On behalf of our faculty and staff, I wish you all a very exciting school year ahead! I am Xie Na and I am going to be your advisor and counsel this year. For this school year, there have been changes made on your classes and grading systems. You used to be sorted into two leagues for the previous years, but this time, things will be quite different. And for the new system of team selections, I would like to call on Directors Kenn and Arai for more information.”

The students waited with bated breaths as the academy directors entered the hall and stood on stage.

“Hello, everyone. I am Director Kenn. I will oversee the grading of your stage presence and performances.”

“And I am Director Arai. I will be taking note of your vocal prowess and musical compositions.”

Director Kenn held out an orange paper flower for everyone to see, “This year, your team selections will not only be different, but your individual performances will also be evaluated. I will present you with an orange flower if you still lacked stage performance during my evaluation period. However, should you and your team have a nearly polished presentation by the time of my evaluation,” the director held out a red paper flower, “I will reward you with a red flower and this comes with benefits for your team.”

“For my part,” Director Arai added as he showed everyone the blue paper flower, “I will present you with the blue flower should your vocal ability not reach my expectations on my evaluation date. We are doing this not to reprimand you, but as means to encourage you to be at your best when you stand on stage.”

Director Kenn took a step forward as he addressed everyone, “Individual grades aside, you might all have been worried about the league formations. If you had noticed earlier this morning, you were asked to choose between being a member and a leader and we have specially prepared a contest for those who wished to become leaders of their soon-to-be teams. Your league formations will follow once Xie Na introduces your respective league mentors. I wish you all the best of luck this school year and may you have a great stay here at the academy."

Everyone gave the two directors a round of applause before they quieted down when Xie Na took the stage once more.

“Now, introducing your mentors. Leading the first league is our very own alumna and the mentor of the winning league during the school’s 2020 competition. The second league mentor is another alumna of Phoenix Academy and was the person behind last year’s winning team. Please welcome your league mentors, Ning Jing and Na Ying!”

Another round of applause and some fan-girlish screams exploded from the audience of students as the two mentors descended from the twin stairs flanking the stage. Both Ning Jing and Na Ying waved at the students as they arrived on stage.

“Na jie and I are happy to be back, and we are both excited to the performances you have in store for us this school year.”

“Jing jie and I wish you all the best as you prepare for your performances throughout your stay here at the academy.”

The two mentors both went to the other side of the hall, opening a set of double doors for everyone to see, “This year, the leader selections will be based on your votes! We will start with those vying to become leaders to perform first. We will then have you vote for those whose performance you preferred and the person whom you wished to be part of their team. The stage awaits you all. Let the performances begin!”

The students cheered as they all made a beeline for the large door guarding the grand theater. Jessica stood in front of the large doorway for a bit as the others walked past her. Her eyes took in the bigger platform stage looming from the inside of the great theater, where she deducted where they will showcase their talents. At that moment, she felt the weight of the eyes of her past mentors, trainers, and fellow trainees on her, even though they were all the way back in Korea and elsewhere in the world. She felt stuck in her internal turmoil until she felt a hand take hers, pulling her back to the present time.

“Come one, Jess. Let’s show them what we’ve got.” It was Cyndi who took her hand and led her past the threshold of the great theater.

They both passed by the two mentors who gave them encouraging looks as they walked past them. The warmth of Cyndi’s hand, as the older girl led her towards the seats, was enough reassurance for Jessica even though they were both left with the front row seats since they were the last people to join the theater hall.

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