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All eyes were focused on the gate, silvery, snail-like tracks of tears covered their cheeks, a certain pink tint to all their faces.
Nobody had much to say, nobody trusted themselves to say anything, all mentally preparing themselves to be more happy and welcoming to the trainees that were coming up from the Ground.
Lina felt rather numb. She fault awful for voting out any of the dropouts, and she simply couldn't comprehend how Jay was out, thought she as sure others had their reasons.
The sounds of their breathing and sniffing filled the lobby, Lina having moved to sit on the ground by Heeseung, her head resting on his knee, holding his hand, tears travelling silently down her face.
They knew, at this point, the six dropouts had left and gone to the Ground, and if she was right in thinking, the new I-Landers were currently being announced, most likely having been chosen by the producers through some form.
Chaerin had no idea what the Ground was like, but it was sure to be an emotional experience to find out that you would be moving up into I-Land.
She had a feeling that she might, at one point, find out just how it feels, but now she needed to focus on the others, and the new I-Landers.
Lina scrambled to her feet as she realised just how long it had been, and how the new recruits were probably on her way. She kept holding Heeseung's hand, moving to the chair next to him, their arms stretching the short distance across the chairs, hands hanging between them.
The six I-Landers had been given chance to calm down, and Lina sat forward as the gate began to open. "They're here." She said, smiling, but a little sadly.
Lina peered into the gateway, looking who was in there. Sunoo, Taki, Jaebeom, EJ, Yoonwon and Taeyong.
The group greeted the new recruits with a bow, the six in the gateway copying their actions.
It was slightly bittersweet, but Chaerin arranged a smile and greeted the new I-Landers with hugs, watching as Taki and K reunited.
Just like before, the banners rolled down behind them, showing the new thirteen I-Landers, Chaerin's picture still right in the very centre.
Lina stared up at it for a moment. She looked pretty in that photo - and couldn't help but wonder just how awful she looked at that moment, tear stained and flushed. She clapped along with the others,
The new I-Landers looked so full of wonder and hopefulness, and Chaerin couldn't help but feel the same, the smile on her face growing.
The nameplates were put on the empty chairs, Lina staying by Heeseung but with Sunoo on one side instead. The boy seemed very excited, and Chaerin smiled as she watched him put the plaque on the back of the chair.
All sitting down in their seats, packed bags at their feet, it was time for them to wait for the next announcement, what the next test would be.
"We're going to reveal the second test that determines your shared fate." The I-Landers reacted accordingly, wondering what could be next.
"Teamwork." Lina repeated, reading the words of the screen. It was a good idea for the next test, seeing as they really did need to be able to work together in order to make it to part two.
"This test will be a performance to test your cooperation." The system continued, and Lina nodded understandingly, knowing it would be about choreography.
But then suddenly, music burst through the speakers, echoing around the lobby. Chaerin's jaw dropped as she instantly recognised it, sitting up in her chair.
Their attention was drawn to the screen, as they watched the choreography play out. "A dance break." She muttered to herself, already knowing that she wanted to do it, but most likely wouldn't.
"It's so difficult." Chaerin said, as the choreography video came to an end. It really would be a dance to build and test teamwork, and she hoped that those who came from the Ground could soon become friends with the others.
"The cooperative dance performance is crucial to this test. This is also based on joint responsibility, and the average of the individual scores will become the team score." The voice said. Lina understood this well, it was just the same as last time. It also explained how depending on the score, the amount of people who moved to the Ground would be chosen.
Once again, the higher scores meant less people leave, and the I-Landers themselves would have to choose who to vote out.
"The I-Lander with the highest individual score for this test will receive an elimination exemption card. This can be used on any I-Lander, including yourself. In the case you use the elimination exemption card, the next elimination candidate will be eliminated. Please decide your parts now." The system said, and the I-Landers looked around at each other.
It was once again said that parts could change at any time, and then went silent, a countdown of six days appearing on the gateway.
The second test was starting right away, and suddenly, Lina didn't have any time to feel bad.
She couldn't be the one to go the Ground. She needed to stay in I-Land with Heeseung and Sunghoon, and be there for when Jay returned.
She had to be.
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