KickiPop™ Chronicles Blog #1 – Welcome to Harmony High

The Florida sun was already blazing over Fort Lauderdale that morning, the light bouncing off sleek convertibles, palm-lined boulevards, and the mirrored windows of towering hotels along the beach. It wasn’t just any first day of school—it was the first day at Harmony High, the most elite performing arts school in the city. Known for producing chart-topping singers, award-winning actors, and world-class musicians, it was more than a school—it was a launchpad for dreams.

And today, Catalina was stepping onto that launchpad for the very first time.

The Drop-Off

Her dad’s SUV pulled into the crowded front drive, rolling past palm trees swaying lazily in the humid breeze. Parents dropped off their kids one after another, some in luxury cars, others in everyday minivans, but all carrying the same mix of nerves and excitement. A crossing guard in a crisp neon vest waved Catalina’s father forward toward the drop-off zone.

Her dad grinned, looking more sentimental than she had ever seen him.

“Well,” he said, shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe it, “today’s the big day! I’ve been thinking about this moment all summer, Cat. Seems like just yesterday you were born, and now here you are… entering high school.”

Catalina blushed, brushing her shoulder dark hair back as she adjusted her bookbag.

“Oh, Dad…” she said with a shy smile.

He reached over, squeezing her hand. “I’m proud of you, mija. You’ve worked so hard to get here—and you’re so talented. This is the top school in the city, and you made it. Now go in there and knock ’em dead.” He paused, chuckling. “Or is it break a leg? I forget which it’s supposed to be.”

Catalina laughed, her nerves easing a little.

“Whatever it is, you’ve got this,” he said firmly.

“Thanks, Dad.” She leaned in, hugging him quickly before slipping out of the car. As she shouldered her bag, she saw him watching her with the same look he’d worn since she was little—half amazed, half proud.

Moments later, the SUV pulled away, leaving Catalina standing in the Florida sunshine, one of hundreds of students about to start this new chapter.

Aya’s Turn

Almost immediately, another car slid into the space her dad had left. Aya leaned forward in her seat as her mother double-checked everything.

“Do you have everything you need? You didn’t forget anything, did you?” her mom asked anxiously, her voice quick and tight.

“No, Mom,” Aya sighed.

“Well, if you did, just call me, and I’ll bring it right over. Okay? I will, I promise.”

Aya rolled her eyes with a smile. “It’s fine. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m just… nervous,” her mom admitted, pressing her lips together. “It’s your first day. I’m nervous for you.”

Aya shook her head, grinning. “Why are you nervous, Mom? It’s not your first day—it’s mine.”

But her mom was already leaning forward, reaching for one last hug. Aya, knowing what was coming, bolted out of the car before her mom could get a kiss in.

“Have a good day, sweetheart!” her mom called after her.

“Okay, Mom, see you later!” Aya waved quickly, her face red. She walked fast, then snuck a glance back just in time to see her mom wiping tears from her cheeks.

“Oh my goodness,” Aya muttered, half amused and half embarrassed. “She does the same thing every year.”

Taking a deep breath of the salty air drifting in from the coast, she exhaled her nerves. And that’s when she spotted a familiar face in the crowd—Melody.

Melody and the Music Connection

Even in the chaos of the first day, Melody stood out. She had an easy confidence about her, the kind of vibe that came from growing up around music her whole life. Her mother, Mrs. McCarthy, was not only a respected musician but also Harmony High’s music teacher. That meant Melody had practically been raised in rehearsal rooms, auditoriums, and concert halls.

Aya’s face lit up as she waved. She and Melody had known each other since music camp—the same camp they’d attended since they were toddlers. Through summers filled with guitar strums, piano keys, and late-night sing-alongs, they were not just friends, they had become sisters.

Melody spotted her too and rushed over.

“AYA!” she squealed, hugging her bestie.

Aya laughed, her stress instantly melting.

“Finally! Somebody I actually know,” she said.

The two linked arms, instantly falling into their old rhythm, their laughter carrying through the hum of student voices.

Catalina spotted Melody and Aya she remembered them from the entrance exam testing day. As she headed towards the front door she hurried to catch up with the girls. They immediately remembered her from testing day and greeted her cheerfully.

As the three girls gravitated together in front of the towering glass entrance of Harmony High, the campus buzzed with energy. This was a school like no other—complete with recording studios, dance halls, theaters, and state-of-the-art classrooms. Everyone here had a dream, and everyone was chasing it.

Character Spotlights

Catalina – With her small dog Sugar Plum waiting at home, a younger brother named Max, and her beloved grandparents (Abuela and Abuelo) always cheering her on, Catalina carried her heritage and family pride into everything she did. She had worked tirelessly to get into Harmony High and carried both excitement and a touch of imposter syndrome as she crossed those gates.

Aya – Quirky, playful, and endlessly creative, Aya lived with her mom, her energetic little dog Nugget, and her grandmother Gran. Her grandfather has passed, but his memory lingered in the photos and stories around her home. Her younger brother Evan loved teasing her but was secretly her biggest supporter. Aya loved songwriting, though she often second-guessed her lyrics.

Melody – The daughter of Harmony High’s very own music teacher, Mrs. McCarthy, Melody sometimes felt the weight of expectation on her shoulders. With no siblings, she often leaned on her Nana and Papa for guidance and comfort. Her dog Honey was her constant cuddle buddy at home. Melody’s voice was her superpower—strong, soulful, and filled with passion.

Later, the group would grow to include Prisha and Miyoshi, but on this first morning, it was Catalina, Aya, and Melody who found comfort in seeing each other’s familiar faces among the sea of strangers.

The Weight of Harmony High

Standing in front of the sleek, modern building with its gleaming glass doors and banners fluttering in the warm ocean breeze, Catalina felt suddenly small. Students swarmed everywhere, greeting old friends, taking selfies, hauling instruments, or rushing off to find their orientation groups.

“Wow,” she whispered.

“It’s like a whole city,” Aya agreed.

Melody nodded. “Yeah, and we’re about to be a part of it.”

Together, the girls stepped forward, taking their first steps into the whirlwind world of Harmony High.

Family Roots, Shared Dreams

Part of what made Harmony High so unique was that every student carried not just their own hopes, but also their family’s stories with them. Fort Lauderdale may have been famous for its glamorous beaches and luxury lifestyle, but for these girls, it was their family foundations that gave them strength.

Catalina thought of her father’s words, still fresh in her mind. Aya thought of her mom crying in the car, and Melody thought of her mother waiting inside, ready to flip from “Mom” to “Mrs. McCarthy” in front of a classroom full of students.

They were each different—different families, different pets, different traditions—but the same dream connected them all: to make music, and to find their place in the world.

A Promise of What’s to Come

As they headed toward the massive auditorium doors, their nerves gave way to excitement. Ahead of them were challenges they couldn’t yet imagine, victories they hadn’t dreamed of, and moments of friendship that would carry them through it all.

The first day was just beginning, but already, the foundation of something bigger—som

ething extraordinary—was being laid.

This was Harmony High.

This was where KickiPop™ was about to be born.