You Were Our Idol

After Cassie’s performance, which had left the room in an unshakable hush, the five judges struggled to recover their composure.

Nevertheless, the audition had to go on.

They continued calling up actors one by one, but their enthusiasm had withered.

Lines were read, scripts stumbled through, and nervous laughter filled the air, but nothing seemed to stir them the way Cassie had.

A few of them stifled yawns. One judge tapped his pen absently on the desk, while another leaned back with an air of polite disinterest.

Rafael, though trying his best to maintain decorum, could tell their attention had slipped.

Cassie’s shadow loomed large over the stage; every performance after hers seemed flat in comparison.

Finally, the lead judge cleared his throat and announced, “We’ll take a recess. We need to discuss amongst ourselves before making any conclusions.”

Their tone was cool, professional, but the glances exchanged between them made it clear that Cassie’s audition was weighing heav