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The back of my eyes heat a little with the realization that Jenny never giving up on me is the reason we’re friends, and the reason I’m friends with Angela and Gi Taek too.

This conversation with Hyemi is a reminder that I need to reach out to Jenny, just as she reached out to me countless times before.

“Try not to put up your walls too high.” I give the advice I would give myself from two years ago. “Thinking that others won’t accept you. You have to give them chances, multiples ones, and keep trying yourself. Otherwise you might miss out on forming true friendships.”

Hyemi nods. “I will, Seonbae. And... thank you. For sharing with me. It’s comforting to know that even if I’m not as close to the other membersnow, there’s a chance that I will be in the future.”

As we draw near to Hyemi’s neighborhood, her cell phone pings. She glances down to read her message, her mouth forming afrown. “My father can’t make it tonight,” she says. Disappointment colors her voice.

“Should we turn back to the dorm?” I ask. “Or...” A sudden thought pops into my mind.

“Do you want to come to my house? I was planning to watch the episode ofCatch Me If You Canwith some friends.”

Hyemi’s whole face lights up. “Seonbae, I would love that!”

Twenty

As Secretary Park turns the car around, I pull out my phone and text Nathaniel.I’m bringing Hyemi back to the house to watch the episode with us.

His response is immediate.Nice. I’m assuming Hyemi’s staying the night. Should I clean out the guest bedroom?

I hadn’t thought of that, and I immediately feel guilty. I’d invited him to stay, only to kick him out.

Don’t worry about it, Nathaniel texts, reading my mind.Jaewoo’s in Seoul, staying at the apartment, so I’ll go hang out with him. Seriously, it’s not a big deal.

I make a split-second decision.Invite him over. If he asks, tell him I wanted to have a viewing party for everyone on the episode who’s in Seoul.Sun is currently in the countryside, filming his drama, and Youngmin is on a field trip.And you don’t have to clean out the guest bedroom. Hyemi will stay with me in my room.

So...He sends in a single message block.

Then another appears below it.Hyemi gets to see your room, and I don’t?

I laugh out loud. Both Secretary Park and Hyemi glance at me.

“It’s just...” I gesture at my phone, embarrassed. “Something... my friend said.”

Hyemi eyes me knowingly.

“Secretary Park,” I call up to the front seat. “Do you mind stopping over at a pizza restaurant on the way home?”

Nadine’s stepping out of a taxi when we pull up outside my house, her short hair swept back with a studded headband.

After thanking Secretary Park for driving us, I call out to her. “Eonni!”

I gesture with the pizza boxes in my hands to Hyemi, who’s holding fried chicken and cola. “This is my friend, Woo Hyemi. She’s debuting next week with ASAP, Joah’s first girl group.”

“It’s lovely to meet you, Hyemi,” Nadine says warmly. She’s dressed in a black cropped shirt and leggings, with her leather jacket thrown across her shoulders and silver glinting from her ears. “Congratulations on your debut.”

Hyemi beams. “Thank you!”

As we enter through the front gate, Nadine turns her head to view the garden. “Your house is beautiful, Sori.”

“Thank you. Nathaniel says it reminds him of the house inParasite.”

“Ah, my sweet brother,” Nadine drawls, “always says the most charming things.”

I open the front door.

As we walk through, Hyemi says, “Nathaniel... Lee?”