“It is now 12 P.M. The Results Ceremony will begin soon.”

 A faculty member stood upon the stage, addressing the audience using a microphone.

“Please occupy your designated seats as we prepare for the results.”

 His voice echoed throughout the Auditorium, the performance of an opera singer and a piano player resumed once he finished his announcement. Doors in both levels stood wide open, welcoming crowds of students and their parents inside. Ticket on hand, they navigated to their assigned seats, settling in for upcoming events. 

 Life filled within the auditorium, with all sorts of people doing their own preparation— Some parents tidied their children, ensuring they looked presentable in case they got called. Meanwhile, some people engaged with familiar faces, greeting and wishing well to each other. Others seized this opportunity to expand their connections, engaging with those who shared a common aura. And a few settled in the seats, listening to the musical performance and appreciating its artistry.

 A young couple descended the stairs, claiming their two seats near the stage. Unfolding their chairs, they plumped onto the plush, crimson cushions in excitement. Sharing a fond smile, they both understood that this could only mean good news for them.

 The guy yelled up into the air, raising his muscular arms in joy. “My girlfriend’s in Guevarra, LET’S GOOOOOOO—”

 His girlfriend slapped his torso, its hard impact causing him to lose balance. Her smile faded, irked by his loudness.

 “Keep it down… Good conduct, remember?” She said in a serious tone, reminding him to beware of his behavior.

 “R-Right! My bad!” He winced, falling back onto his chair.

 Terrified of his girlfriend, he whimpered in silence, rubbing his stomach as he shrunk further into his chair.

…

“Ooohh~”

“Is Kai here to support you, Suzie?” 

 Running down the stairs, Aria greeted her friends— Suzie Soberano, and her boyfriend Kai Mariano. 

 Besides Melvin and Megan, the couple were her closest friends. Together, the five of them formed a tight-knit friend group; a squad of talented youngsters, all from wealthy families. The group was founded due to all parents being business partners, nonetheless, the childrens’ friendship grew over time. With five years behind them and more to come, their bonds will only become stronger once their acceptances become official— a feat they’ve always looked forward to, having studied in separate schools since junior high.

Aria sat besides Suzie, looking at her with a guilty pout. “Suuzieee~ You don’t have to enroll here, y’know?”

“I’m starting to feel bad for pressuring you! You really should follow your dreams!”

 Suzie is an academic achiever and fellow painter. A girl who not only values her academics, but also holds genuine interest for them. Her main strengths; Mathematics and Science are difficult subjects which many despise. However, she finds beauty in them, fascinated by their logic and arithmetics. Her dedication to her studies led to her becoming valedictorian, with her never achieving grades below high honors. 

“Aria,” She asserted. “I’ve made my decision. I wish to study here. ” 

 Aria’s eyebrows arched, her pupils dilating in concern. “But if you study here… It’s nothing but art competitions…”

 Additionally, she takes every opportunity to compete in Math Competitions, securing champion titles or achieving overly-high scores. Her exceptional intelligence earned her offers from numerous top academies, but her interest in the arts compelled her to enroll into Guevarra. Although she doesn’t admit it, the friend group and her boyfriend influenced her decision the most.

 “It’s fine. It’s just for two years.” Suzie reassured once again, “I just really needed a breather from nerd culture.”

 Aria sighed in relief, sinking more comfortably in her chair. “Phew… I was worried Megan and I pressured you into it.”

“O-Oh…"

 Suzie blinked, her mouth slightly opened as if she had something to say, yet she refrained from commenting.

 “Forgetting about me, huh?” Kai chimed in, smirking in confidence. “I was a factor on it too!”

 Kai is a basketball player, who so happens to sculpt. He’s the boisterous, chatty one in the group, a trait that annoys his friends. Yet, he’s also the funniest, making him the prime target of teasing and banter. Having brawns over brains, he’s the embodiment of the loud, dumb-jock stereotype. His main strengths being anything athletic, mainly basketball; where his team has dominated nationals and secured victory many times.

 Posed on his chair with crossed legs, he flashed a smirk, framing his face with a finger gun. 

 “I even got myself held back, just so she and I would be in the same grade!”

…

 Suzie and Aria sat there side-eyeing him, their faces unimpressed, yet they refrained from criticizing.

 “...W-Wow!” Aria responded, trying to easen up the mood. “T-That’s so romantic for you to do for her…”

 When it comes to academics or non-athletics, Kai struggles to keep himself still, having urges to move and be loud. His tendencies led him to serious trouble, resulting with violations marked on his report cards. He’s shown delinquent-like behavior such as vandalism, disruption and skipping classes to vape. One would mistake him for one, with his tied red hair and large physique. Fortunately however, Kai has never acted on harming anyone, despite finding trouble everywhere he went.

 A year ago, his parents enrolled him in Guevarra— A decision that was made in hopes he’d learn alongside calm, composed artists and adapt to their behavior. Despite his numerous violations, he got accepted into the academy, thanks to, of course; His parents’ connections. Though after one year, his behavior and urges remain unchanged, resulting in him repeating a year.

 “It’s surprising you haven’t been expelled yet.” Suzie said, glancing at the stage and ignoring his presence.

 “...Why would I be?!” Kai yelled in response, offended by her comment. “Come on, I told you I’ll be better this year…”

 The lights began to dim, capturing everyone’s attention onto the stage. Followed by a projector flashing into a large screen;

[ Guevarra Academy Results Ceremony ]

              Class 2016-2017

Grade 11 - 30 students in each strand.

Grade 12 - 30 students in each strand.

 “Oh my god!” Aria squealed, her excitement building up. “I worked really hard on my submission, I wonder what place I got!”

 Suzie chuckled softly, “You’ve really improved over the summer. I have a feeling you’ll be high up here.” 

 “R…Really?!” Aria glanced at Suzie, “I’m just scared that I’ll get really low—”

“Relax, Aria.” Suzie interjected. “The rankings shouldn’t be all that defines your talent.” 

 “Not unless you’re a Guevarra! Hahaha!” Kai chimed in once again, startling the girls with his sudden burst of enthusiasm. 

 He continued, “Those twins always bag first place! Oh I can’t wait to be classmates with Melvin!”

“Indeed.” Suzie sighed, composing herself once more. “..Maybe you can learn some behavioral tips from him.”

...

 “Speaking of…” 

 Aria stood up from her chair, and began scanning her surroundings. Curiosity and concern painted her face, pouting like a puppy waiting for its owner. Her eyes scanned over the bustling crowds and expanse of the auditorium…

 “Where’s my Melvin? I haven’t seen him all morning—”  

 Only for her to discover Brielle and Grace, settling into the seats beside her. 

 “H-Hey!” Aria shouted, gesturing at them to go away. “Y-You girls are in the wrong seats, shoo!”

 Feelings of anger and irritation whelmed her, her face fuming with red as she bit her lip. After all— How could people like them take front seats like that? The audacity of these people! Megan’s totally going to get upset!

 Grace rolled her eyes, showing both of their tickets— the exact seats they’re sitting on.

 “Stupid.” She remarked, and went back to her conversation with Brielle.

 Aria froze in shock, and a wave of confusion washed over her. She had assumed they had the wrong seats, but their tickets proved otherwise. …But how could this be?! She’d always believed that the front seats were for students with a high chance of acceptance; students who appeared affluent and well-off— not like Brielle and Grace!

 She couldn’t wrap her mind around it, but she cared no longer... She refused to be shamed by the likes of them!

 “W...Watch your mouth, Grace!” Aria shouted, “Who do you think you are?! Someone like Melvin is more deserving to sit here!”

“..That doesn’t matter if he’s not assigned here anyway.” Grace replied, though she knew arguing over this would be pointless. However, as she noticed more people settling on the nearby seats, an idea struck within her…

“The Guevarra twins must already be backstage…

knowing how nepotism gets them far.” 

 She announced, loud and clear— adding fuel to the already burning Aria, whose anger reached its limit after hearing her friends’ names get tarnished in front of a crowd. Reminded of these rumors once again, they began to gossip amongst themselves, spreading countless whispers all over the area. 

 “Heh.” Oliver chuckled to himself, “I guess this is what’s happening now.”

 Amongst the crowds, Oliver was seated. Hiding within the dimness of the auditorium, he managed to tune in every word of the ongoing conversation. He relaxed on his chair with his legs crossed, while a smug expression lingered underneath his sunglasses, perhaps finding amusement in the argument unfolding right in front of him.

 The melodies from the opera performance persisted, preventing any gossip from reaching Aria’s ears. Looking at their faces and their body language, she couldn’t make out which sides the people were on— Were they mocking Grace for believing such nonsense? Or did they believe her, and think badly of the Guevarras? 

 Either way, insecurity welled up within her, but she knew best to defend her friends in that moment.

 She yelled at Grace, “Don’t you dare invalidate their efforts!—” 

 “Breathe, Aria. Breathe.” Suzie soothed, gently pulling her back down to her seat. 

 Aria clung onto Suzie’s side, avoiding Grace within her line of sight. Although the fight had calmed, she remained in a tensed state, her body clenched as she struggled to catch her breath. It was as if she was on a brink of emotional collapse, her fragility and vulnerability awakening as she took offense on the behalf of her friends.

 “I… I just don’t understand how people can be so gullible!" Aria vented, her voice wavering. "Megan and Melvin are so talented!”

 “Come on, Aria. We’re inside Guevarra Academy, do you think any of these people care about those false rumors?”

 Suzie watched over Aria, comforting her with words. She wondered who those two girls were, especially the one who voiced hatred against the twins. Looking at their clothing and shoes, she could easily judge that these two were of lower class. The way that girl badmouthed someone in a loud manner, reminded her of a trait she disliked the most— a lack of discipline. But... to her, it made sense. She knew that those in such class, would of course, lack some "class"— probably due to lack of proper education and poor upbringing. 

This understanding of hers led her to avoid such company, looking down on them as a whole. In recent years, however, she feels as if her understanding is slowly shattering... 

 "Who even are those people, Aria?" Suzie asked.

 "Just losers from junior high," Aria lowly grumbled. "so annoying..."

 "Just ignore them for now." Suzie muttered, "At least you won't be dealing with them anymore."

 Suzie's reassurance caught Aria by surprise, "H-Huh?! But what if they get accepted—"

 "Please," Suzie interrupted, arrogance in her tone. "Look at them, do you really think that people like them have a chance here?"

 She further added, "The school's scholarships don't even fully provide. Tch... they look delusional sitting there."

 Aria chuckled, "Hey! Don't you think that's a bit mean?" Though finding Suzie's comment unnecessary, she still managed to have a laugh.

 From that moment on, Aria found herself slowly getting better, as her mood was relieving. She stood up, having made a decision.

 "I'll go look for the twins." She said, putting on a lipstick. "I need give Melvin some of my good luck before the announcement starts~"

 "Don't be weird, Aria..." Suzie reminded, though she could only do so much to calm a boy-crazy girl.

 "Hehe..." Aria fleeted with a smile.