April eight started with a bang. America´s first ever idol academy had its gates swung open, with every one of its traditional buildings covered head to toe in streamers, posters and balloons. It was admittedly tacky for an academy aimed at mostly adults, but it was the good, earnest tacky. Or at least that´s what its director claimed.

“Little more to the left, little more, little more, that´s it.” Shouted a middle aged man. Anyone with access to the internet or a functioning pair of ears would be able to recognize him as White Lightning, one of the most renown musicians to ever exist. Anyone that didn´t however, would have probably seen him as some overweight man with a mop of gray hair and a beer in his hand. No one escapes getting older.

He was trudging along the academy and the patchy grass that was now littered in confetti and miscellaneous crafting supplies. Every now and then a student would enter and approach him, only to be gently let down with a slap on the back with the instruction to head on over to their auditorium, the second largest building in the academy. The building, much like the rest of the academy, was built in the style of colonial revival architecture, with a traditional American feel to it. It was one of three buildings, the largest containing the classrooms and offices and the other two being used for performances. One only had to walk in a straight line starting from the gate to end up in the auditorium.

“You´re supposed to be there in ten minutes, you know.” Snarked a woman in glasses at Bruce. She was irritated, but underneath her tired gaze was a warmth towards the man. 

Bruce took a gulp of cheap beer and met her scolding head on.

“What, can´t I loosen my throat before a show anymore? We´re both not gettin´ any younger ya know.” She rolled her eyes. “Come on, have a sip.”

“If I want a sip, I´ll buy it myself. Now hurry up and get over there.”

The pair made their way over to the building, much like everybody else who had been shooed away from buying from the food stalls before the welcoming event even began.