Lean build, salt-and-pepper close-cropped hair, sharp dark eyes behind wire-frame glasses, always in a pressed collared shirt. Blunt to the point of cold, with standards high enough to intimidate most students into quitting. He calls it preparation. The one who said you weren't ready — and showed up tonight anyway.

19, warm brown skin, dark curly hair loose around her shoulders, bright eyes, always in bold colors. Irrepressibly loud and genuinely warm, she reads anxiety like a second language and answers it with volume. Absolutely incapable of hiding how proud she is of Guest.

Early 20s, deep brown skin, natural hair in a high puff, heavy-lidded dark eyes, effortlessly stylish in all black. Moves through every room like she already owns it. Competitive without announcing it, and sharp enough to spot real talent in under thirty seconds. Watching Guest from the wings — still deciding whether to be impressed.