Chapter 3 : Assembly Point

[Sofia, Han Kyung, Shin Dong, Aris]

It was 2 pm and the auditorium was already packed with 3rd year students. 3rd year students were special as being a 3rd year student in Aquinas Academy, he or she will have to take up three extra-curricular activities in different categories whic are: Uniform Bodies, Internal Societies and Sports. Sofia, Aris, Han Kyung and Shin Dong made their way along the aisle to find their seats.

"Oh my God! This place is like a market," lamented Shin Dong. "No kidding," said Aris.

Sofia scanned the auditorium and found a familiar face waving frantically at her.

"Hyun Ae yah! Han Kyung ah! Aris! Shin Dong! Over here!" It was Chang Min.

Han Kyung saw him and gave a huge sigh of relief. "Kamsahamnida, Chang Min," thanked Han Kyung. "Yeah, thanks Sunny," said Aris. 'Sunny' is the nickname that Aris gave Chang Min due to his warm and friendly personality. "You're welcome," chirped Chang Min. He was used to is nickname anyway.

As Sofia sat down, she noticed that a bald male student was staring at her. She looked at him. Like Alam, he did not look like a typical Korean as he was tanned just like Alam but slightly darker than him.

Later, Dong Hae walked up to the stage. He went to the podium and said, "Annyeonghaseyo. Welcome to Aquinas Auditorium I bid to all 3rd year students. We are still waiting for our principal, Mr Park Jin Young and other teachers to arrive so please be patient. Thank you."

Aris yawned and said, "This is going to be a long day."

"Announcing the arrival of principal, Mr Park Jin Young, vice principals Mdm Lee Shin Ae and Mr Kwon Sang Woo escorted by Student Council President Kim Jae Joong and Vice Presidents Jung Yunho! All students, please stand up."

Everybody stood up to respect the principal and the vice principals who just arrived at the auditorium. Once they were seated, everybody proceeded to sit down.

Aris turned to Chang Min and asked, "How come you're not down there?" "Well, I'm in my third year so I had to attend this talk as a third year student not as a Student Council," he replied.

"Now, I would like to invite Mr Park Jin Young, our principlal to present his speech," announced Dong Hae as he moved towars the back part of the stage. Every body clapped as Mr Lee Soo Man went up to the stage. As he reached the podium, the auditorium went silent. Mr Lee Soo Man lowered the microphone to his level and said, "Welcome everybody. I believe that everybody knows why are they here for? That's right! To attend a specila orientation for third year students. In this academy, we believe that academic success is not enough for students to succeed in life. We believe there must be a balance between academic and activities. That is why this academy encourages students to get involved in after school activities such as sports, uniformed bodies and internal societies. That is why this academy encourage its students to get involved in extra-curricular activities......."

"Encourage? More like enforce," whispered Aris to Shin Dong. "Ssshh! I'm trying to listen," scolded Han Kyung. Both Aris and Shin Dong's mouths opened. Was Han Kyung for real? He *actually* listens to the speech?

Dong Hae moved towards the podium once Mr Park Jin Young ended his speech and made his way back to his seat. Dong Hae announced that Jae Joong the President of the Student Council to present his speech. Jae Joong stepped up to the podium and presented a speech that encourage the students to take up extra-curricular activities and introduce the categories of extra-curricular activities.

After that, it was time for the presidents of each societies and bodies to brief about the respective societies they were in. Most speeches almost sound the same and pretty boring. However, some speeches were interesting such as:

Nickhun Horvejkul, President of Aquinas Dance Squad:
"Dancing is a sport and a way of life. Dancing, sometimes can bring clamness and sometimes it can bring excitement in you. To dance, one must have passion because a dance without passion is like a body with no soul. Join us and together we'll be the best dancers in all of Korea!!!!!!! Thank you."

Sometimes, it was not the speech that attracted the students, it was the person who presented the speech, like:

Jessica Jung, Captain of Aquinas Valens:
"Cheerleading is not all high kicks and split. It involves poise, grace and flexibility. Tryouts will start next week and we're hoping you will be there. Go Valens!!!!"

All of the boys cheered and clapped for her as she blew kisses towards them. Jessica Jung really knew how to use her benefits to her advantage.

Some speeches were plain threatening:

Jung Yunho, Captain of Basketball, Baseball and Soccer:
"Boys, any of you dare to touch my sister..... I'll kill you on the field later. Girls, you are welcomed to join basketball, baseball and soccer."

"Typical Yun Ho. Always protective over his sister," chuckled Chang Min to himself. Dong Hae walked to the podium and noticed that half of the auditorium were sleeping. "A word of advice: When attending events like this, do bring a few sticks of chewing gums or sweets. Beleive me, they will become handy," said Dong Hae.

"No kidding," said Han Kyung as he opened his mouth towards Sofia to reveal a small mint inside his mouth. Sofia giggled.

"Now, I would like to call upon Go Hyun Joon, the Executive Officer of Aquinas Brigade to present his speech."

"Hyun Joon sunbae? Why not Alam sunbae?" asked Chang Min. Sofia saw the male student who stared at her earlier got up from his seat and made his way to the stage. When he reached the podium, Sofia saw that he was staring at her direction again. After that, he began his speech:

"All of you may think that Aquinas Brigade is a pre-army course or your seniors might told you that. Well, it's not. Even though we pretty much do a bit army stuff such as marching but we also do other stuff such as community service, survival skills and other outdoor activities......"

"Bore....ring!!!!" exclaimed Aris as he continued to doze off. Sofia kept looking at Hyun Joon. There was something about him that Sofia could not put her finger to. Was it because of his tanned skin complexion or was it because he did not look like a Korean? He looked a bit Chinese and Malay, like Aris. The difference was that Hyun Joon was slimmer, slightly darker and bald.

Hyun Joon ended his speech and saw that almost half of the auditorium dozed off. He striked a small conversation to Dong Hae and left the stage. "That was the last briefing for this extra-curricular orientation, which means that we have reached the end of this orientation. We would like thank everybody who is present today. Thank you to Mr Park Jin Young, Mdm Lee Shin Ae and Mr Kwon Sang Woo for your time to be here and I on behalf of the Student Council would like to apologize for any mishaps that happen throughout this orientation. Thank you. To all students, your extra-curricular activities will begin next week. You are required to sign up for your choice of activities online in the academy's website by this Friday at 5:00 pm. Thank you."

Everybody got up and proceeded to leave the auditorium. Aris got up and stretched himself. "Finally!" he exclaimed as he made his way to the aisle. As soon as they got out of the auditorium, Sofia heard a voice calling out, "Excuse me. You two!" Both Sofia and Han Kyung turned. It was Hyun Joon. "Yes, you two," he repeated. He moved closer towards them and bowed. "Annyeong haseyo, Han Kyung and... Hyun Ae," greeted Hyun Joon. He looked at Sofia and asked, "You're a girl, right?" Sofia frowned and replied, "The skirt is too short." Hyun Joon smiled and said, "Oh, I understand. Nice to meet you." "Nice to meet you too, sunbae," said Han Kyung.

"So, have you decided on what are you joining yet?" asked Hyun Joon. "Uhh.... no. Not yet," replied Han Kyung. "Okay, that's all. Umm.... I'll see you around?" said Hyun Joon. "Yeah, see you around, sunbae," said Sofia. "Annyeong," said Hyun Joon as he left both Sofia and Han Kyung at the hallway.