Rising Stars

I - A Meeting Written in the Stars

Story and Jae are by me.

"Meeting her was my favorite accident."

- Son Jaemin

October 9th, 2019

"The entire world is built on the foundations of creative collaboration," Professor Laurent began. She placed her hands on either side of the lectern as she looked out at the entirety of the half-filled lecture hall. Her eyes narrowed into slits as she scanned each and every one of her students; her silky red-black hair rested steadily. "Therefore, for this midterm, I will be placing you into pairs."

The class collectively groaned. We all knew how important collaboration was— the only issue was that it was the first time that Professor Laurent specifically told us that we were getting into pairs.

"Your assignment," she continued, reigning the class back in. "Will be to create an EP of any genre, using any DAWs you deem fit. The EP must be a minimum of three songs and a maximum of six songs. More details will be available in the handout I will give you at the end of class— and on our class website."

I rested my hands on either side of my laptop, listening intently to the professor's directions and descriptions of the assignment. Excitement bubbled within me.

"Now, you might be asking; 'Professor, how am I supposed to make this EP presentable and professional when I don't have a budget?'" She cleared her throat. "I am here to also announce that you and your partner will have full access to the film and photography department. The students of that department are aware of this assignment, and they likely have their own assignments which tie into yours.

And lastly, the pair that receives the highest score on the project will have the EP released through a label underneath L.A.'s very own UMG."

The class erupted in applause, cheers, and raucous joy. While I shook my head in utter disbelief at the reward for the assignment. This was an opportunity that every single person in the class had been yearning for, desperately searching for. An EP release was one thing— but getting it released under a record label was nothing short of a dream.

And now that dream was within reach of everyone.

Once the class calmed down, Professor Laurent continued. "This project will be due on October 31st."

The 31st, huh? The date lingered in my thoughts for a few moments, before it was swept away by Professor Laurant's sudden exclamation.

"Oh! And before I forget, I will be choosing your partners for you," Professor Laurent casually reminded. "Right now." And she reached beneath her lectern and pulled out a small bowl with bright colored pieces of paper in it.

My head hit my desk. Why... Why now?

"Jaemin? Are you alright?" Professor Laurent asked.

"Yes, I'm fine," I called back. I repositioned myself and watched Professor Laurent draw the first ticket from the bowl.

"First is..." She trailed off as she fished a name out. "Son Jaemin!"

I sighed. Of course.

"And your partner is..." Professor Laurent retrieved another name. "Yeng Seraphine! Definitely an interesting pair. Jaemin, if you would please move your belongings next to Seraphine."

I looked to my left. And there, sitting on the opposite side of the lecture hall, was a bundle of pink hair. Seraphine waved at me, a small smile on her lips.