Garrison Academy

Chapter 3

Shiro

The Garrison Academy; Shiro chose to attend again not just as a regular student, but with the added responsibility as an residential advisor. Even though he had the pleasure of being chosen by the school for this responsibility, worry still lingered in his mind. Was he fit for it? Would he do a good enough job? He only really applied because he got convinced by Matt, his old roommate, when he found out he was leaving Garrison Academy to take a prestigious job. That left Shiro without a person to room with, and why go through all the hassle of finding someone when there's benefits of being an RA like getting to room by yourself.

"You're a natural born leader," Matt Holt grinned, while suggesting the role of an RA instead of struggling to find another to room with before the next year. "It's you last year here Shiro, make the best of it."

So he decided it was worth the try. He went through the intensive selection process; applying, being interviewed, until he finally heard back, the conformation that he indeed would be advising one of the freshman year dorms. He found out as well that he would be the leader for four of his residents through their freshman project, though he didn't know what ones.

The uniqueness of the school is what drove Shiro to this place about four years ago. The way the academy ran is that the first year teaches how to strengthen your team skills while building on individual strengths, while the next two years are free rein with what the individual would like to focus on; like finding an internship, studying abroad, or if someone just wants to work on building them up. Not everyone stays until the final year as they may change schools or catch the attention of a job place like Matt did; but in that year there's the option to lead a group of freshman, to help them manage and guide them through the project required by each team. Shiro wasn't sure on how many were aware of this team aspect; not many people look that closely into the school. He knew that Keith might have some strong words for him after he finds out about it. Nevertheless it was exciting to him, as getting along with others was his forte. However there was still that insecurity digging at him. What if he's not a good leader? What if he can't lead after all?

Shiro took a deep breath. It's high noon. Thirty minutes until a hall meeting; thirty minutes until he meets all his new residents. That's the boring part of moving in; the entrance ceremony where everyone gets sorted out into groups was way more exciting. That was in about two more hours, and Shiro couldn't wait. He didn't know who the four were, but he hoped they would get along with each other; that they will get along with him.

Fifteen minutes pass. As it narrowed down to 12:30, Shiro went around and knocked on all the doors of the occupied dorm rooms to get all the younger students out to meeting in the common room. There was some grumbling, but eventually all of the first years were gathered into the one large room. A couple of them he recognized already; Lance, Keith, and that small person in the oversized green hoodie who he didn't stop them to learn their name. There were many different moods around the room; some excited, some nervous, some annoyed, some indifferent. It reminded Shiro of when he first arrived and had to sit through his first hall meeting. So to get it over with, he started talking.

First thing to do, go over the rules of the dorm. Second, rules about if anything needs to be changed. Third, the talk about if there's any problems that need to be addressed to go to him; not directly acknowledging the issue could cause so many more problems and nobody would want that. Then came the part people either loved or hated, introducing themselves with their name, a fun fact, and where they came from. Some students, like Keith, brushed over the other two and just mentioned their names. After everyone was done, the meeting adjourned and everyone eventually cleared out either to their rooms or outside, leaving Shiro alone again. In another two hours, he'll be with his team. But as for now he just sat on the common room couch, watching people pass by the dorm from the window.