Page 25 of XOXO

I gape at her. If that’s simple, what’s complicated?

“Of course there’s more to it than that,” Gi Taek says, “but that’s the gist of it. And even if it is your dream to debut, it’s not a given.”

I compare their experiences to mine. “That sounds a lot like what I’m trying to do with my cello playing,” I say, thoughtfully. “Except I want to get into a music school instead of an entertainment company. And I want to join an orchestra instead of an idol group.”

“That’s exactly like it!” Angela says, beaming.

Gi Taek nods, giving me an appraising smile.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I check it to see my timer has gone off for my laundry. “I gotta run,” I say, then hesitate. It’s been awhile since I’ve actively made friends and I’m not exactly sure how to go about it.

And though I don’t necessarilyneedfriends, seeing as I’mleaving at the end of the semester. Having them would make my time here at SAA that much more enjoyable.

Angela smiles. “I hope we have some classes together, Jenny.”

“Me too,” I say, then give a little wave. Before I turn toward the quad, I glance at the monitors. XOXO has finished their performance and a new group stands on stage, singing about youth and running toward your dreams with all your heart.

Eleven

Go Jenny, Year 3, Schedule: Monday to Thursday

8–8:10 Homeroom/Class Attendance

8:10–9:35 Period 1 or 4

9:40–11:05 Period 2 or 5

11:10–12:35 Period 3 or 6

12:40–13:15 Lunch

13:20–16:00 Arts

16:05–18:00 Study Hall

On Fridays, the schedule changes

9–9:10 Homeroom/Class Attendance

9:10–10:25 Arts

10:30–12:35 Study Hall

12:40–13:15 Lunch

13:20–16:00 Arts

Sunday night I go over my schedule for the one hundredth time. I have my own separate study hall when my classmates aretaking Korean, English, science, and history. But I’ll sit with them in classes like computer, math, and PE, and of course all the music classes, which includes orchestra and solo performance.

I’m also enrolled in dance, an elective that I was sorted into last-minute due to my late transfer. I’m fine with it for now, but I need to talk to my counselor to see if I can switch it to a study hall. As a musician, I don’t lack rhythm, but my body doesn’t know that.

When my alarm goes off the next morning, Sori is already gone. I take my time getting ready, just now realizing the biggest pro of a uniform—I don’t have to decide what to wear in the morning.

In the hall, I’m immediately glad I showered the night before because there’s already a line forming outside the communal bathroom. I find an open space in front of the mirror to apply eyeliner and a sweep of gloss to my lips. I actually don’t know what the dress code is for makeup, but with so many cosmetic cases lined up in front of the glass, it can’t be that strict.

Since it’s the first day, an all-school assembly is being held in the world-renowned concert hall. As I make my way toward the building, I look around for the boy and girl I’d met in the student center last night, Gi Taek and Angela. I’m feeling jittery and anxious, my gaze darting across the quad, heart stopping every time my eyes land on a particularly tall boy. I try to tell myself it’s first-day-of-school nerves,first-day-of-school-in-a-new-country nerves.And while that’s a part of it, Iknow I’m also nervous about seeing Jaewoo. I just want to get this second meeting over with so that I can get on with my life in Seoul.

Inside the auditorium, students are already finding their seats.

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