be who you are

Luke had never thought that he would be anything else but a rockstar, and those dreams came true, and he was still living out his wildest fantasies, even now. Still, Luke and the boys had been approached to coach students at a prestigious music academy, and when an opportunity like that comes along, you just don't say no. Luke held a lot of passion for music, and to be able to encourage others to do the same would be incredible. The world needed more people inspired by music than the Kardashians. Nervously, Luke fixed the sleeves of his shirt, having been warned that he could wear nothing less than smart casual, and as he was about to walk into a classroom, he figured that a good impression with the students would work in his favour. They were only a small group to be coached vocally, but still, he was excited.

Hazel sat in the corner of a small classroom. Her parents had put in an application for her to have singing lessons, and yet, Hazel wasn't sure if it was something she wanted to pursue, piano being more of her thing than anything else. Not wanting to disappoint, she smoothed out her skirt and fixed her knee-high socks. Although she was so grateful for the opportunity to study in the academy, that didn't mean that she enjoyed it all the time. Frowning with the thought, Hazel looked to the rest of her group, preferring to keep to herself, waiting for 'Mr Clifford' to enter. Hazel wasn't sure who, or what, she was expecting, but she cringed as she envisioned an old man with his trousers sat too high.

Juniper found herself watching the door nervously. Her parents had pushed hard to get her applied to the school, determined to get her to “share her voice.” Her fingers curled against the end of her skirt, not quite used to the uniform yet. The chance to study at the academy was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and she was grateful for it, she was, but she knew that it would take time for her to even be comfortable singing.

Michael was, admittedly, excited for the opportunity to really introduce people to how amazing music was; he knew that it could be an amazing experience, both for himself and those students. Shifting, he adjusted his clothes, having worn some of his nicer clothes for the sake of looking his best, as the academy had requested. Coming upon the classroom he was meant to teach, he stared at the door for a moment, preparing himself before he walked in, grinning. “Hello, everybody,” he greeted the class, his eyes scanning the students before he spotted one in a corner, and he paused, stunned by her, but curious, too, because she didn't seem like the other students. “I'm Mr. Clifford, but, since I'm not an actual teacher, I think it'd be just fine to call me Michael.”

Luke took a deep breath just to steady his nerves, and as he entered the classroom, he offered the group of students a smile. "Hiya guys." He greeted, trying to keep up a happy exterior, wanting to seem approachable, trustworthy, almost fun. He knew this academy was truly for those gifted musically, and he didn't want to ruin that reputation in any way. "My name's Mr Hemmings, but you can call me Luke if it makes you more comfortable." He introduced, sitting on the edge of his desk, his eyes scanning the group before his gaze fell upon one student in particular, a beautiful brunette girl who seemed like she would rather be anywhere else in the world, and Luke decided that he would try to make this experience fun for her, noticing how she caught his eye. Clearing his throat, Luke smiled. "So, I understand you're all going to be trained vocally?" He grabbed the register. "I'll take roll, and then we can get started."

Hazel looked up as she heard a chipper voice enter the classroom, and blinked in near surprise when the man who walked in was nothing like she had originally visioned. He was almost her age, if not a little older, and he had the nicest smile to go with the most beautiful voice. Clearing her throat, Hazel focused back on her hands, folded neatly on the desk, listening as he introduced himself - Michael sounded a lot easier to say than Mr Clifford. Distracting herself with sophomore students' work pasted to the walls, Hazel still listened intently, not wanting to be rude.

Juniper looked up when she heard somebody come in, though she paused, shocked to see a man there who didn't seem much older than her, and she blinked with surprise, trying not to acknowledge that he was attractive - other girls in the classroom weren't nervous about acknowledging it, though. Listening quietly, she ducked her head, tapping her feet anxiously, staying silent, just wanting to get away from there already. Or to at least get her name out of the way so she wouldn't have to worry about any further attention.

Michael moved to grab the class register before he leaned against the desk. “Alright, now that you guys know who I am, I guess it's my turn to figure out who each of you are,” he said with a grin, his eyes scanning around the classroom for a bit, though his gaze went to Hazel again and he found himself watching her, almost entranced, curious because she looked so shy, but he dropped his gaze to the register. Going through each of the names, he marked whether they were there and called another name, “Hazel Wood?” Lifting his gaze, he looked around, waiting for an answer, though his gaze somehow trailed back to the same girl who'd caught his attention before.

Luke smiled as he studied the students, wanting to come off as kind. He was going to be teaching them things that were vital to being successful in the field of music, and to do that, he needed them to know he was experienced. Grabbing the register with one hand, the other holding the edge of the desk, Luke read out some names, looking up with each one. Each girl seemed to offer a wave or a giggle, and Luke had to resist the urge for every muscle in his face to cringe - although, in between names, his gaze always drifted back to that shy, brunette girl, who's head was ducked. "Juniper Hall?" He called, once again his gaze falling to her, as if he instinctively knew that the name belonged to her.

Hazel continued to read the work that was on the wall, but as soon as she heard her name leave Michael's lips, she swore she'd never heard a sound so beautiful. Refocusing her gaze to the front, Hazel nodded. "Here," she confirmed, but she tried not to look at him for too long, not wanting to draw attention to herself as she focused on something, anything else. Running a hand through her ponytail, Hazel instead decided that staring out of the window would be a good alternative to staring at Michael, because he was gorgeous, and the more she saw him, the more she could confirm that.

Juniper looked up when she heard her name get called and, seeing the man’s attention on her, she shifted slightly, trying not to be affected by how attractive he was. Clearing her throat, she raised her hand a bit, managing out “Here” before she quickly sunk back down in her seat, her cheeks warming because she realized how meek she sounded, and she knew a few people seemed to notice - but, thankfully, they were more focused on the teacher.

Michael smiled slightly as he watched the girl that had so easily caught his attention, and he nodded slightly once she'd confirmed his suspicions. He tried not to watch her too much, finishing up the rest of the names on the list, before putting the list down. "Alright, everybody," he said happily, "I'm pretty new at this whole teaching thing, but I promise to do my best. That aside, let's get started, shall we?" And, even as he spoke the words, his gaze so naturally wandered to Hazel again and, admittedly, he was glad to have the name that went with the face now, and he was hopeful for a wonderful year, knowing she was already affecting him in the most magnificent ways.

Luke smiled softly as Juniper sunk down within her seat, noticing the way her cheeks tinted pink and trying not to focus on how endearing found it, found her. She was beautiful, and Luke was certain he wouldn't be able to go through this next academic year without taking more notice in her, because Luke's soul told him to move forward and indulge his curiosity, because there was something so incredibly special about her. "Great," Luke cleared his throat. "So, let's get started with the lesson, shall we?"

Hazel could feel Michael's eyes upon her, and she shifted with anticipation, because this man was something she couldn't deny. He was handsome, with soft green eyes and she was certain that he'd be a popular teacher - which made Hazel even more determined to keep his attention, because she found herself craving it for new reasons. Watching her classmates move to begin their lesson, Hazel looked to Michael as she stood to her feet.

Juniper watched Luke from where she was, despite her shy nature, unable to help it. He was a sight to behold, and she couldn’t believe that she’d get to see him teaching like this every day for at least a semester. Hearing that he was going to start lessons, she straightened and stood, moving to join her classmates, waiting, wondering what would be in store for them.

Michael grinned slightly when the class came up, though his gaze searched for Hazel. With everybody at the front, it was difficult to find her in the crowd from where he was, so he shifted to stand in front of the line, his eyes finding her, and he could feel his heart settle, relaxing in his chest, because she was in his line of sight, and he knew she was okay this way. Clearing his throat, he nodded. “Alright, as I call your name, step forward and show me what you’ve got,” he told the class before he began going down the list, eager and curious to see how Hazel would do.