I couldn't believe this was actually happening. My childhood dream that was almost snuffed out was alive and well again. My heart is racing as we prepare to go onstage. It's my first performance with the new band Jump Girls. 

     And normally, my increased heart rate shows I'm a bit nervous. I try not to show it and start breathing deeply.

I must have not hidden my anxiety well, because Eun Kyung came over. 

     " What's up, Maggie? You look nervous."

" I'm alright, Eunnie. It's just the first time I've been onstage in front of thousands of people before," I laugh nervously.

     "Don't be worried," she says. "If this is truly your passion, then once you're out there, singing and dancing your little heart out, it will all come naturally. And if anything, it's our first concert. We've had our album out, and we've been building up hype for months. Don't worry if you mess up. Just act as if everything's cool. The fans won't care since they're so psyched to see you. They absolutely love you. In fact, I don't think they've ever reacted to a foreigner this well, especially a Caucasian one."

     "And if anything," Mi Hi chimes in, 　"Any mistake you make can't be as bad as Hyun-Ae's little chicken-robot arm flail during dance practice."

 Hyun-Ae defends herself. "Hey! That was only because I was losing my balance on that one move!"

     "Whatever," Mi Hi says.

Everyone laughs.

     "Okay," Mi Sun,the band's leader, calls. "Everyone gather over here!" 

We all form a huddle and listen intently to Mi Sun. 

     "Alright, girls. We've been preparing for this for months. We know what we need to do. We've got this. I have faith in all of you. Now, let's give them the best show they've ever seen!

 Chant time!

When I say 'Let's jump!' you say 'How high?'

 Let's jump!

"How high?"

"Let's jump!"

"How high?"

   We all gathered in a circle and put our hands in.

"One, two, three.. JUMP GIRLS!"

     And with that, we went out to perform.