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“That’syour gift?” Elena asks. My eyes whip to her, but despite her shocked tone she’s smiling. I realize suddenly that she’s spent time with this group. She seems to already understand and enjoy the dynamic of them.

Robbie Choi really has a girlfriend. I can’t stop myself from laughing at the idea of it.

“What’s funny?” Elena turns to me.

“Oh, nothing. I mean, it’s not funny so much as nice,” I admit. I feel some of my jaded shields come down a little to just enjoy that idea. “I’m really happy for you and Robbie.”

Elena blinks at me in surprise. “Wait, what?”

“Aren’t you dating?” I wonder if I read it wrong.

But when Elena blushes, lowering her head to hide a smile, I know I’m right.

“Yeah, we are, but we’ve never officially confirmed it. Everyone still assumes, though, but Robbie says it’s about making the choice ourselves about what we share.”

“It can be a lot,” I say, and see her smile drop a little. I feel bad for being the one to cause it.

“Yeah, I’m definitely not used to complete strangers having opinions about me and my life. But when it’s just me and Robbie, we can ignore it.” Her smile brightens again as she looks over at him.

Now Minseok has Robbie in a headlock as he demands a duet together. Robbie is laughing like a loon. Not even trying to free himself. Jun and Jaehyung have joined in, grabbing both boys in half-hug, half-wrestle moves. I’m not even sure if they’re trying to separate the two or help one of them win. And if it’s the latter, I’m not sure which side they’re on.

“I’m glad Robbie found someone who likes him enough to deal with all the extra that comes with our lives.” And I really mean it. I’ve often felt like it’s virtually impossible to make true relationships outside of our bubbles. And even among ourselves, it’s hard to know what the other person actually wants from you. I resist the urge to steal a glance at Minseok.

The music swells and the boys are really butchering an overly dramatic version of “Candy in my Ears” by Baek Jiyong-sunbae and Taecyeon-sunbae.

Minseok and Hyejun try to do the sexy dance with each other, which makes me cringe and avert my eyes. I do not need to see my older brother’s hips shaking like that. Of course, they overdo it and they fall over each other. I barely catch Minseok before he bangs his head on the coffee table.

His weight is sprawled across my lap. This close, I can smell soju on him and see how red his cheeks are. He must have been drinking with my brother before coming here.

“Well,” he says, lifting a hand to cup my cheek. “Haven’t we been here before?”

I roll my eyes and release him. He drops to the ground with a grunt and a thud. He bumps into the coffee table and drink bottles scatter across the floor.

Just then, the door opens and Jongdae steps in. Behind him is Sooyeon, holding a cake box.

I start to stand. Sooyeon-sunbae is one of my favorite artists. I didn’t know she’d be here tonight. I check my shirt and hair to make sure it doesn’t look messy from the collision with Minseok.

But before anyone can greet them, Jongdae snaps out, “What the hell is going on here?”

The room quiets down.

“What do you mean?” Minseok asks lazily, not bothering to get up. Instead, he lounges across the floor like he’s in a sexy photoshoot. “It’s a party, we’re partying.”

“Are you drunk?”

Minseok scoffs, pushing himself up, brushing off invisible dust from his pants. “We just got a couple drinks before coming.”

The way Jongdae is staring Minseok down, I’m worried he’s about to explode.

“How could you do this with everything going on?” Jongdae demands. He takes a jerky step forward, leaning heavily on his crutch.

“Hyeong, it’s fine,” Robbie says.

“Don’t get involved,” Jongdae growls, clearly getting angrier by the second.

“Don’t talk to him like that,” Minseok says, his eyes hardening despite the drunk flush still on his cheeks. “And I don’t really think you have a leg to stand on here.” He lifts a brow and gestures at the crutch. “Literally and figuratively.”

Jongdae leans toward Minseok and lowers his voice, but I can still hear him.