No way, not a chance... or so I thought...

 

"Numbers 070 to 075, please get ready," a female staff member called out, signalling the participants to prepare for their turn inside the casting room. It was time to face the competition.

 

With my name tag and the number 073 pinned to my chest, I took a deep breath to calm my nerves as I stood up and joined the line, ready to enter what felt like a slaughterhouse.

 

That's right. I might've acted tough in front of Jay, brushing it off like it was no big deal, but the moment I got back to my condo, I was lying on my bed with my hand over my forehead (honestly, I wanted to use my foot, but it couldn't reach my forehead). I spent three whole days thinking it over before finally deciding to attach my photo and an introduction clip to the application form and send it off to the production team via email.

 

After weighing the pros and cons, I realised there were more advantages than disadvantages. If I passed the casting, I'd gain career opportunities, valuable research material, and a chance to work with the actor I admired. Who knows? I might even discover my true passion. And if I didn't make it, it'd still be a life experience. I had nothing to lose, right?

 

I didn't expect to get through when I sent in my initial email for the casting. I mean, I submitted it with a bare face and unstyled hair and filmed my intro clip in my bedroom. So, when I received the email inviting me to today's casting, I was genuinely shocked. But since they went out of their way to call me in, I decided to give it my all. I even went to a friend studying performing arts to get a crash course on acting basics.

 

My friend, who helped me prepare, said I had potential. Acting requires a certain sense, and apparently, I picked things up quickly. When Jay heard that, he hyped me up even more, saying I'd definitely pass. I wish I could drag him here to see the reality of the situation. Look around-there are hundreds of guys here, all ridiculously good-looking. Compared to them, I feel like a baby chick surrounded by prizefighting roosters worth millions.

 

But whatever. I wasn't expecting much anyway. Oh, I forgot to mention that the role I was auditioning for was named 'Sky.' It's a supporting role, kind of like the antagonist. I chose this role because the character's description matched my appearance the most. Besides, if I were going to try, I might as well aim for a standout role. Go big or go home, right?

 

"Oh!"

 

A commotion erupted around me as I clenched and unclenched my fists, taking deep breaths to focus. I turned to look, and my heart started pounding so hard it echoed in my ears. The reason? The two lead actors of this project had just walked into the room.

 

Of course, my eyes automatically locked onto my bias-Nine. Today, he was wearing an oversized white hoodie, jeans, and glasses (probably just for fashion). He walked in with his signature polite smile and stopped at the front of the room.

 

"Hello, everyone. I'm Nine. Today, Third and I are here to cheer you all on," he said with that familiar smile, his eyes curving into his trademark crescent shape.

 

I quickly pressed my lips together to suppress a grin, my heart racing excitedly. I'd secretly hoped he might show up as a surprise, and seeing him in person made me so happy. Too bad I didn't bring my big camera. The moment I saw him, my inner fanboy took over. I wanted to take a picture of him so badly!

 

Honestly, even though Nine wasn't all dolled up like he usually is for events-just a touch of tinted lip balm- his aura was still dazzling. It was like he was glowing with a golden light, making everyone else in the room fade into the background.

 

"I hope we get to work together. Good luck to everyone. We're rooting for you!" His slightly playful tone at the end of his sentence was so endearing that even as a fellow guy, I couldn't help but feel charmed.

 

Just seeing Nine and hearing his encouragement filled me with determination. I completely forgot that I was just here for fun. All I could think about now was giving it my all and nailing this role!

 

"Do your best, everyone. I'm sure you've all prepared thoroughly for the roles you're auditioning for and are giving it your all. So, I just want to wish you all good luck.”

 

The other actor who came with Nine, a handsome and stoic guy named Third, also encouraged the participants. But honestly, I didn't hear a word he said. My entire focus was on Nine. I was so mesmerised that I didn't snap out of it until a staff member nudged me forward into the casting room.

 

Oh crap. What's my line again? I forgot! Damn it, damn it! God, angels, spirits, anyone-please help me!!! Maybe some supernatural being heard my prayer because the casting went smoothly (probably).

 

Okay, to be fair, it wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible either. When I walked in, my legs were shaking a bit, and I stuttered a little during my introduction. I mean, come on, standing in front of producers, directors, and an experienced entertainment team like that? A newbie like me was bound to be nervous. But when it came to the actual scene test, I think I did pretty well (I hope). The scene was an argument with Copter, the main character. 

 

I poured all my emotions into it. At least someone in the room complimented me, saying I had potential and that my expressions conveyed my emotions well. The whole thing probably took less than ten minutes.

 

Before I knew it, I gave a wai as a thank-you to all the judges and walked out of the room. I felt a bit dazed. Was that it? Six hours of waiting for just this?

 

Once it was over, I felt a mix of relief and anxiety. If I passed, I'd get to sign a contract with the production company. That would be amazing, of course. But it wouldn't be the end of the world if I didn't. I wasn't expecting much...

 

"You did great, Wan."

 

And then, something unexpected happened. As I walked past the two lead actors sitting near the exit observing the auditions, Nine glanced at my name tag and said. He even gave me a thumbs-up and smiled.

 

"Th-thank you!" I stammered, caught off guard, before quickly thanking him with a shaky voice. Was I dreaming? Or did he recognise me as one of his fans? No way. I always wore a hat and mask when I followed him to events, and I barely spoke to him.

 

But still, Nine complimented me! My favourite actor watched my performance and said I did a great job! Ahhh!!! At that moment, my legs nearly gave out. I was so happy I almost lost my mind. I wanted to say a few more words to him, but didn't want to hold up the line, so I quickly walked out. Before leaving, I glanced at the other lead actor, Third, who was sitting next to Nine. He was staring straight ahead, watching the next group of participants enter. He didn't even glance at me.

 

As I walked out of the room, my heart was still fluttering with excitement. But at the same time, I found myself frowning slightly.

 

Aside from Nine, the series Deep Dive: Into Your Heart also starred Third, Tharit Jaratdecha, a rising actor who'd been gaining popularity. He'd previously starred in a series with Nine, though they weren't paired together. Both played supporting roles. His performance was just as noteworthy, earning him a solid fan base. Since they were under the same agency, it made sense for the company to cast them as leads in this project, seeing the potential for profit.

 

When the announcement was made, fans were ecstatic. Hashtags like 'ThirdNine' and '39' trended on social media. What started as a fan-made ship became an official pairing. But personally, I wasn't into BL. I didn't ship Nine with anyone. I was a solo fan. Whoever my bias worked with, I'd also support them. But not for this one. I just couldn't warm up to this Third guy.

 

Okay, okay, maybe I was biased. Fine, I really was. But there was something about him that felt off. I'd followed Nine to many events, and Third often appeared alongside him. I didn't know if it was just me, but he seemed distant toward Nine. Nine tried to engage him, but Third's responses were short and curt. It wasn't just at events, watching interviews or behind-the-scenes clips gave me the same vibe.

 

And it wasn't just me. Some fans in my circle felt the same way. There was even a discussion on social media where fans pointed out that Third seemed cold toward Nine. His fans argued that he was just introverted and not great at socialising. This led to some back-and-forth debates, but I stayed out of it. 

 

My main account was strictly for posting photos, like a fan site, and my other accounts were just for voting and trending. I didn't get involved in drama. Still, I agreed with what people were saying. Third seemed cold toward Nine, even though they were in the same agency. Seeing it in person today only confirmed it. Did he not want to work with Nine or something? But who cared? I was sure plenty of people would've jumped at the chance to work with someone as talented as Nine!

 

This guy was probably just full of himself, thinking he was all that because of his good looks (and yeah, even though I didn't like his face, I had to admit he was ridiculously handsome, decent acting skills (like, passable), and a bunch of fans. Did he think that made him better than everyone else? 

 

Let me tell you, in this industry, good looks alone wouldn't get you far if you had a personality no one wanted to deal with! And don't even get me started on his image-he had this slight bad-boy vibe going on. When he was in front of the camera, he did that smirk thing, like one of those anime guys. You know what I mean? He wasn't my style at all.

 

To conclude, I didn't like this Third guy and didn't want Nine to do any of that 'shipping' stuff with him, either. People were already watching closely because this whole thing was just a marketing gimmick that disrespected the LGBTQ+ community. It wasn't cool to profit off someone else's identity like that, and it pushed people to imagine things. Plus, it could cause problems if it ever came out that they already had a girl or boyfriend.

 

In my opinion, Nine had way more talent than to waste time on this shipping nonsense. It was 2024, people! The era of nonsense fangirls was over! But I guessed the agency probably thought having a ship would bring in more fans, both for the pair and for each of them individually. From a business perspective, social issues were sometimes pushed to the back burner in favour of profit. So, if they absolutely had to sell a duo, I'd rather it be someone else, not this walking block of ice.

 

I turned around and peeked through the window to check out what was happening inside the room. I saw Nine leaning in to whisper something to Third, but Third kept a straight face, didn't say a word, and didn't react. He kept his eyes on the person auditioning and didn't even glance at Nine. See? Isn't that just infuriating?

 

I let out a frustrated sigh, but couldn't do anything about it. The producers had already decided to cast these two for the series. Besides, I'd seen Third's acting before, and I had to admit he was talented. As an actor, I respected him. But everything else? Not so much.

 

"Once the casting is done, you're free to leave. We'll announce the results on our page next week," one of the staff members told me with a sweet smile as I retrieved my bag. I figured she probably just wanted to clear the area as quickly as possible. 

 

Honestly, I hadn't realised so many people wanted to be actors. For this project alone, seven roles were cast, but at least 400 people auditioned. If you landed a role in a BL series and it blew up, you were set for life. Just one deal could earn you millions, and if you had multiple deals, that was even better. 

 

Fans, both local and international, were incredibly generous. Take Nine, for example. The money bouquets were overwhelming at his birthday events, and he got luxury gifts from head to toe. Whatever he wanted, his fans bought it for him. And it was like that at every event he attended. Money ruled everything, but that was just how life was. Everyone wanted money because poverty was terrifying. However, one undeniable truth about this industry was that not everyone made it. Only about ten to twenty per cent of people reached that level of success. Even then, the peak of their careers usually lasted only four or five years before they plateaued and gradually faded out. It was a highly competitive field, especially in the BL acting scene.

 

Consumers now have so many options. High risk came with high rewards, which was why so many people were willing to take the gamble. But me?! I didn't think I'd be one of the lucky ones. Just seeing Nine today, getting some encouragement from him, hearing him say my name and even compliment me, and I could now die peacefully!

 

My phone buzzed in my bag, signalling a new message. When I pulled it out, I saw it was from Jay, asking for an update.

 

Are you done with the audition yet?

Spill the tea. I'm dying to know!

 

Yeah, I'm done. I even got to see Nine.

What?! Lucky bastard. So, how'd you do? What did the judges say?

 

Some people complimented me, but I don't think I'll make it. There were so many talented and good-looking people there.

 

Hey! If they compliment you, that means they're interested. You've got a shot, trust me!

 

I smiled at Jay's message. That guy was the king of hyping people up. I bet he really wanted a friend who was a celebrity.

 

The results will come out next week. Let's wait and see. But hundreds of people auditioned for my role, and I don't think I stand a chance. If I really get it, I'll eat dog food.

 

I typed that with absolute confidence. There was a one per cent chance I'd pass the audition and a ninety-nine per cent chance I wouldn't. If this were the lottery, I'd definitely win this round!

 

Whoooooa!

 

I just took a screenshot, Wan. You can't delete it now, lo!! Jay's threat didn't faze me one bit.

 

Go ahead and threaten all you want. There's no way I'd end up eating dog food! I'd heard people talk about the popular saying, "The only certainty in life is uncertainty,' so many times. But I never thought it'd apply to me...

 

"Woof woof! What flavour do you want, Wan? Beef or liver? Oh, wait, how about wet food? There's chicken in gravy, too. What's your pick, huh? Hahaha!"

 

Jay was laughing his heart out as we stood in a pet food store near our university after class.

 

"Hey, how about this one? Salmon flavour, and it's good for your coat too!"

 

"I'll pick it myself, thanks," I muttered through gritted teeth, scanning the shelves.

Yeah, I'd said I'd eat dog food if I passed the audition. And now, here I was, about to eat it for real.

 

Yesterday evening, the production team announced the casting results on their Facebook page. And guess what? The role of 'Sky,' a supporting character in the series Deep Dive, went to me, Archawin Sukkosol. Holy crap, I actually passed! How did that even happen? 

 

When I saw the results, I'd just gotten back to my room. The moment I saw my name, I screamed so loud that my little sister, View, came running with a baseball bat, thinking there was a burglar. But when she found out I'd passed the audition, she screamed even louder than I did.

 

"P'Wan!!! What?! How?! When?! When did you audition? How did you pass? Oh my gosh, tell me everything!"

 

"I don't know!!!"

 

I didn't know how to answer her because I didn't know myself. At first, I thought there might have been a technical error, like they entered the wrong name. But about an hour after the announcement, I got a call from the production team, asking me to come in two days later to discuss signing a contract.

 

So, no mistake. I'd passed the audition and was actually going to be in a series.

 

"Alright, what do you want to eat?"

 

Back to the present, Jay stood there with his arms crossed, grinning smugly, waiting for me to pick a flavour of dog food.

 

Humans were bound to make mistakes. I'd made one, but I wasn't about to make another. As soon as I realised I'd have to eat dog food, I started researching which types were safe for humans without being too gross. And I found one!

 

"I'll take this," I said, smirking as I grabbed a pack of goat milk tablets from the shelf. Humans could drink goat milk. I'd already checked that this brand was safe for people.

 

"Hey, what's that?" Jay's expression changed as he glared at me. "You're cheating, Wan."

 

"How am I cheating? This is dog food. Sir, this is dog milk tablets, right?"

 

"Yes, it is," the store owner confirmed from behind the counter. I grinned triumphantly as I walked over to pay. See? I wasn't breaking my promise.

 

"Damn it," Jay muttered as we left the store, glaring at me.

 

"What? I didn't break my promise. I said I'd eat dog food but never specified what kind." 

 

I tore open the pack and popped a tablet into my mouth, chewing casually as I raised an eyebrow at my best friend, who looked thoroughly annoyed. I figured Jay had planned to record a video of me eating dog food to use as digital blackmail or something. Too bad for him-I'm too smart for that. Haha!

 

"It's actually pretty good. Want one?"

 

"Can you really eat that?"

 

"Yeah, it's sweet," I said, popping another tablet into my mouth. It tasted just like regular milk tablets. But seriously, don't try this at home. If you want milk tablets, just buy the regular ones for humans. They're cheaper anyway.

 

Jay couldn't resist his curiosity and grabbed one to try. So now, the situation was two senior university guys standing outside a pet store, eating dog food. It was a pretty bizarre sight.

 

"Still, who would've thought you'd actually pass the audition?"

 

"Hey, you told me I'd make it."

 

"I was just trying to encourage you. I saw how hard you worked," he said, patting my shoulder with genuine pride in his eyes.

 

"But when I found out you got through, I was so happy for you! Your chance has finally come, Wan. You'll be set if you're lucky and the show you're in becomes a hit. This is the first step, and it could lead to so many more opportunities for you."

 

"Honestly, I'm still not so sure," I sighed.

 

Sure, I was happy, but to be honest, I'd never thought about becoming an actor before. Now that the opportunity had come, I felt hesitant. I wondered if this was the right path or what to do next.

 

"It's okay. Life is all about trial and error." 

 

Jay said as if he could read my mind, trying to reassure me.

 

"Yeah, you're right," I said, finally managing a small smile. After all, I'd earned this role fair and square through the casting process without any connections. Since I'd been given this chance, I had to give it my all. Who knows? Maybe I'd discover my true passion along the way. Besides... This was also a great opportunity to get to know Nine better, beyond just being a fan of his as an artist. I'd get to talk to him and work with him. Wasn't this more than just a dream come true?

 

Now, I'm starting to feel excited. I can't wait to start filming the series!!!