This was written in collaboration with EJC Press as part of Issue 3 of Cross Island Impressions, an inter-JC Press collaboration. You can read Issue 3 here.

By Jaime Rusli (22S03L; RI), Nicole Won (21-13; EJC), Yeo Rei Ya (21-E2; EJC), and Aaron Wong (21-14; EJC)

Picture this: you’re standing in a large crowd with dozens of other unfamiliar faces, and you’re being instructed to learn some sort of strange cheer or dance with them. You’re tripping over your words, or maybe even yourself, as your brain struggles desperately to clutch onto directions being explained at breakneck speeds. Everyone gives their most to learn these things together, even when you’re not in the same orientation group or class. Other than being enrolled in the same school, you have nothing in common with most of them, and barely know any of their names.

The only thing you all have in common is your matching, brightly coloured T-shirts that would put the high visibility vests of construction workers to shame. You’re all in the same House. That simple fact stirs something deep in your heart, but you’re not sure why.