Yue looked at the new man, puzzled. It took him a moment to remember that he’d seen him at the auditions, but he was unsure how the man knew his name.

  “You’re late, Yue.” Sasha told him with a hint of a smirk, knowing that wasn’t actually the case.

  “How do you know my name?”

  The blond man’s smile grew in reply.

  “You’re back quick.” Chris pointed out, breaking the silence.

  The man nodded. “I didn’t get very far when I saw someone heading this way.”

  After acknowledging his reply, Chris slapped her hand against the back of her clipboard; a clap to draw everyone’s attention.

  “We’re all here now, so let’s sit down.” She gestured towards the table in the distance.

  As the men took their seats, she slowly walked to the final chair, only to trip over her own feet. Yue and Mark instantly leapt to their feet, but their attempts to catch her were unnecessary as she erected herself and regained her composure. Sasha and Lio maintained their positions and avoided looking at the others.

  “Are you alright?” Yue questioned.

  A nervous laugh escaped the woman. “Yes, I’m fine.”

  She quietly sat at the table between Sasha and Mark.

  Keeping her eyes on the clipboard she’d placed in front of her, Chris led the group.

  “We should get to know each other before we start anything, so if everyone could say some things about themselves, then we can move on.”

  “No.” Lio and Sasha simultaneously spoke out. They immediately after scowled at each other.

  “My life is none of their business.” Lio continued.

  “You don’t have to give an in-depth explanation, just the basics.” She encouraged.

  “I’d much rather hear about you.” Mark leaned in closer to Chris. This forced her to move back from him. Unfortunately, doing so placed her within Sasha’s personal space.

  “Please, sit up straight, Chris.”

  “R-right.” She felt like a fish out of water with these men. The woman believed that they had such strong personalities that she’d end up being swallowed by them. And she was tasked with leading them? How could she stand above them when they were already leagues ahead of her? It was so difficult for her to talk in front of them. She felt judged every second she was in their presence. She wasn’t worthy of being near them.

  “This is why I said that you should start without me; I already know who you are.” Sasha’s voice had clear irritation.

  “They don’t know who you are, though.” Chris did her best to keep calm.

  “We don’t even know how you know us.” Yue was still hung up on the issue, but Sasha failed to address it in his response.

  “I’d have said who I am when I arrived. It would’ve saved time.” He sighed. “Then, I guess, I’ll go first. I’m Sasha. Twenty-three. I sing. Dance. I’m an acrobat. Breakdancing’s my forte. I play the guitar.” Each one of his sentences was stunted and blunt. It gave off the appearance that his words meant little to him as no emotion was present. They also left no room for questioning as it was clear that he was saying all he wanted to, and he wouldn’t say more.

  Noticing that Sasha never answered Yue’s worries, Mark chimed in.

  “Maybe he saw your long-jumping days.”

  “Thank you, Sasha.” Chris blanked out the pointless concerns. She checked her notes. “On that topic, Yue, would you like to go next?”

  After agreeing, Yue stood up and gave his introduction.

  “I’m Yue. As pointed out, I was a long-jumper, but I’m taking a change in direction.”

  The silver-haired man snickered at that.

  “I’m a song-writer and rapper now.” Yue concluded, leaving out any information that the others could use against him.

  “And, he’s twenty-four.” Sasha kept his eyes down as one hand’s fingers moved as if he were playing guitar chords.

  “Yes, thank you, Sasha. Thank you, Yue.”

  The man returned to his seat. Chris turned her attention to the man sitting on her right.

  “You better tell us everything you can think of, or Sasha will tell us your life story.” Lio informed him.

  “I’m just being thorough. Ugh. Whatever. I’ve done my part anyway.” Sasha rose to his feet and began to take his leave.

  Chris panicked. “Where are you going? Are you coming back?”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Sasha waved his hand dismissively, not really paying attention to her.

  With one gone, Chris steadied her breathing. Everything was already falling apart. If she couldn’t get one man to stay in the room, what chance did they have?