We all sat in the lounge, waiting on Collins to show up. We had left him back at YG, and all we could do was wait while imagining what he would say or do when we got here.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCk9fRVz5q
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The five of us didn't even try to look at our phones after seeing the news on Christine's phone. With what was buzzing on social media, we decided to avoid it. In times like these, we first have to get some advice on what to do next before we respond. Even for someone who was as impulsive as Zoey, she only looked at her phone to play Candy Crush, doing her best not to go on social media.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSqqp4DAiL
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With Zoey on her phone, my brothers decided to switch on the TV and watch something to pass the time. Christine and I happened to be looking at our phone at first but ended up watching whatever was on TV instead. A few minutes later, Lee walked in.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWJICDVKe5
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"Do you know all of you feel like a sorry bunch right now?" Lee asked.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZmQOFOtc1
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We all turned to look at her. No one answered her or asked what she meant. The look on our faces must have said all that to her when she sighed in frustration.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPBaowfKmx
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"I mean to say, you all look gloomy about what's being said on social media when it's no big deal," said Lee.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4k6wU5veO
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"Well, when someone like Johnny happens to post such things on social media, then yes," said Zoey, "it is serious."9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUhuB6HVm6
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"No one is going to take Johnny seriously." Lee came to join Christine and I on the couch. "So what if he said all that?"9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaLSmgOxOO
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"It would lead other people to criticise us," said Mike, turning his attention away from the TV. "All people need is for something to talk about to show off your bad side."9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9MU2tAYdq
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The rest of us Toxins all gave a nod their heads, agreeing with Mike. What Johnny said about us on social media might lead haters out there to help spread the fire. As much as social media might be helpful, no one can ignore the dark side of it that Keady to devastate results. It's why, personally, I've never been a big fan of it.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAkdVljs1s
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"Well, we can't let what he says ruin your mood," said Lee. "You'll see. Collins might not even give this a second thought and will want all of you to focus on your album."9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgx2eJDKAN
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"Yeah, I guess you're right," I said. I stretched out my hands, trying to release the tension that I had been feeling after seeing the new. Doing so made me a little relieved. "If we keep on dwelling on this, we might fall back. And that won't be fair to BLACKPINK and WINNER, who also put in so much for the album."9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zSaB0pDKZ
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"Okay, so we agree to move on, right?" Zoey asked. "Then are we going to respond to this post he made? Fans would want to answer."9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Nl58YNWKH
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"The best response at this point is nothing," I said. "If we do, we're only going to add fuel to the fire."9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe8QwssFbi
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"But won't saying nothing have the same effect?" Christine asked.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM9msu4LQi
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“That’s if people aren’t asking for it,” I said. “I say we ignore what Johnny has been saying about us and focus on the album.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2UaKEePQa
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“Won’t Collins want to talk about it first?” Daniel asked.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZtOBUW5PB
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“That’s why I think he won’t want to pay much attention, and so should we,” said Lee.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8eejUVMsD
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“You make it sound so simple,” said Zoey. “The next thing we know, he comes in here fuming about it.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvNNkFvR59
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“We can wait on him and see his reaction if you want. I know Collins, and he won’t say anything about it.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N4zGqDUDc
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The others decided to see things unfold for themselves. It was close to suppertime when Collins came back, and we were all watching a Korean action series on TV when he stepped into the lounge. For a moment, we all stood still waiting for him to say anything, but he only greeted us and asked how we were doing. Our mouths dropped open, except for Lee, of course.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo1vVixHUL
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When such incidences happen, Collins usually tries to address the issue early and work on a quick solution. This time, he didn’t look worried or rushed. He looked like he would normally would, the same normal Collins.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIfNNGGrAz
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“What is it?” he asked when he noticed the looks on our faces.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmv882INEX
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“Um…, Collins,” said Christine. “You seem pretty chilled.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvAESsX5in
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“What? I can’t be chilled?” Collins asked as he raised an eyebrow. “When I’m too strict, you always tell me chill. What do you want from me?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OizMdZphV
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“For you to be serious about what Johnny is telling everyone all over social media,” Zoey answered bluntly and straight to the point.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq9SEwkPeF
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Collins looked at us and shook his head. “I’m not worried about Johnny, and you shouldn’t be either. He’s being a crybaby over what happened at Hongdae. I mean, how many artists wear masks and hoodies just to hide from the crowd? Plenty! If he doesn’t like it, he can leave Korea and go back home. I can tell you that no one is taking this seriously.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNmoQdoFZu
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“But he did say some pretty mean stuff,” said Daniel.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrad0succTA
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“And he isn’t the first, now, is he?” Collins chuckled. “Just don’t respond to whatever he throws at you.” He turned to look at Zoey. Zoey raised up her hands as though saying she didn’t do anything wrong.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46Qf8YtYve
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“I haven’t said a word about it on social media,” said Zoey.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSIIVxXxHr
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“Good. The only thing we could do is avoid him. I’ve never taken whatever he is seriously, and he does that just to attract attention.” Collins down at the hall he came from. “I’m so hungry. When is supper arriving?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfUusLS5FW
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“Soon,” said Lee. “It’s good you told these guys not to worry about Johnny. They wouldn’t listen to what I said at first about ignoring him.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUrjVU2MCE
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“We dis listen,” I said. “It’s just that we needed Collins' final words of assurance.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNmP1z9P1C
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“Well, you five all know better than to take Johnny seriously,” said Collins. “I’ll go freshen up. Tell me when supper gets here.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4oygMYgwO
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After Collins left, Lee stood up from her seat. “Didn’t I tell you?” she asked.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNBc78Uxnu
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“Yeah, yeah, we get it,” said Mike, turning to look back at the TV. “It’s not like we didn’t believe you. Johnny can be full of surprises. Let’s not forget that he also admitted to turning off the lights at YG. Only God knows what the heck he was thinking.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtbGlW3sRl
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“Yeah, and we can’t openly accuse him of doing that with no proof,” I said. “Let’s just forget about it. You heard what Collins said. We shouldn’t take him seriously. I bet he did all that just to see which of us will react and respond to his message.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rrnJvZ7mT
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“He doesn’t change, does he?” Daniel asked, shaking his head. “People really need to get a life.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppDmHCCcUe
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“Apparently that is his life,” said Lee. We heard the elevator bell ring, and the doors fly open on our floor. “Supper is here. I want you all to eat, and I want you in bed early. You’ve a big day tomorrow.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPa58cuZjH
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After we had our supper, we stayed for an hour or so watching some interesting Korean series on TV. We went to bed early as instructed. There was still so much to be done, and we had to prepare our minds and bodies for it.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgJrlXbOWi
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The next day, we arrived at the YG Studios well rested and ready for whatever was to come our way. We were early as usual, and we got ourselves ready to go to the dance studio for practice. While we were there, we did a few warm-up dances. WINNER arrived a good thirty minutes later.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoGi9i25jS
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“Morning, everyone!” Seungyoon greeted us as he walked into the rom first.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wEp8YGOfI
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“Morning, Seungyoon,” Zoey, Christine, and I answered him at the same time.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89E0w62B1I
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The rest of the WINNER members also walked in, and we all greeted one another. I saw Christine and Jinwoo briefly share a look with each other and quickly turn away. It was then that I remembered that they were supposed to have gone to see a movie last night. I completely forgot about that. Could they have cancelled? I never got back to Christine to ask her about it.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9MtiUhOvV
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While everyone was still greeting each other and looking for something to talk about, I quickly approached Christine from behind and pushed her forward while holding onto her shoulders.. For a moment, she was confused at what was going on. But she relaxed upon seeing me. I took her to the corner of the room, away from the others.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuWcrQmfVn
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“Hey, I forgot to ask,” I said to when she turned to look at me. “What happened yesterday? Weren’t you supposed to go out for a movie with Jinwoo?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJetWbPryGx
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“I was,” Christine answered. “But we decided to cancel since we both felt tired. This issue with Johnny’s post made me step back a bit, thinking it was going to be a big issue if anyone were to ever see Jinwoo and me.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ32pcBXe4r
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“Oh, I see.” I folded my arms. “Let’s slowly walk back. I don’t want the others getting suspicious of us or anything. So what are you going to do about it?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucgvCLld3f
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“We will see,” said Christine as we started to walk back. “Maybe we can go out on a later date.”’9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fMazY2Fcg
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“You know, if going for a movie is too much for you, you can think of something simple and less complicated.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWj6Ng16vf
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“Like what?” Christine looked at me curiously.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73TL5ozAzQ
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“If you two weren’t trying to hide that you like each other, I would’ve suggested going out on a picnic. But that one is already out of the question. The place should be somewhere private.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVrmBaQwEZ
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“Well, we can always go out privately, out in the country.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahuSvtGMZr
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I stopped as I looked at her. “That doesn’t sound like a bad idea,” I said. “But we’ve one problem with that? Will Collins agree to get out into the countryside so far away from the city? And even if he did agree, where would you go? Let’s not forget that no one is supposed to know about the picnic in the first place.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnha7ZkmbXe
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Christine scratched the back of her head. “This is a tough one,” she said.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzK5XP5ZEc
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“Something will come up,” I said, as we neared the others. “Let’s just let things set on its own. You’ll be surprised as how things turn out.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt1p56LhU3
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“Hey, we just thought of having a simple warm-up while we wait for the others,” said Seunghoon as he looked at me. “Is that ok?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vfM7EElah
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“Yeah, we were doing just that before you came,” I said. “Who should take the lead?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99QhzpjDql
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“Ooh, me, I’ll lead,” said Seungyoon, raising his hand. He looked like a young child trying to answer something in class and hoping for the teacher to pick him.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxexXv5Hdg
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“Okay, but not any funny moves,” said Mino, pointing his finger at him.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkL4hIscGA
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Seungyoon agreed, and we all went back to doing warm-ups until Taeyang arrived. It wasn’t long until BLACKPINK members also showed up, and we started to perfect our dance moves for the music video. We rehearsed the choreography a number of times that we got exhausted. It was only when it was close to lunchtime that we finally got to take a break.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2B1a1on93
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Lee came by to escort us down for lunch. She was surprised to see most of us all on the floor resting. Before going down to the cafeteria, Lee instructed us to first take a shower, then head to the cafeteria. Afterwards, we would’ve to meet the songwriters and producer for the album. It seems we were supposed to start working on the songs9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwCS09ePYU
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After lunch, we went up to the studio to wait on the songwriters and Bang Yong-guk. We already found the producer waiting for us. I recently just heard that he had come here to YG to help polish out on the lyrics. I simply couldn’t wait to read them myself. While we waited, some of us couldn’t help but talk about the post Johnny sent online yesterday.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vFfk7uHxx
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“If I knew Johnny could be such a prick, I wouldn’t have hung out with him that night,” said Mino.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41qqR8wapk
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“You’ll never know that Johnny is like that until he gets to bite you,” said Mike. “Or like he has done, bites others.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uCSjK3noq
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“I hear you guys and hi have had bad blood over the years,” said Lisa, who sat cross-legged on the floor. “What could’ve happened for things to be the way they are now?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm9NvgZMFp
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I look at Zoey, who happened to sit across from me. Just like Lisa, she also sat on the floor. She also happened to be looking at me. Christine, who sat on the other end of the couch I was on, silently tried to clear her throat. Mike and Daniel happened to be looking at their phones when the question was asked, and they didn’t look like they would be looking back up at anyone any time soon.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwmQ3bC5zx
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“Sam is better off telling the story,” said Zoey.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vugBRyVc4
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“Me? Why?” I asked, looking at her with an eyebrow raised.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM289JuOll
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“Well, you’re better at telling it that some of us. Before the songwriters get here, I suggest you start talking.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTone1JQg1I
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I shook my head at Zoey. When it turned to look at everyone else, they all had their eyes on me and their ears open. Including the producer.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sd8CXSENy
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“Fine,” I said as I rolled my eyes. “We knew Johnny way back from middle school, and he was always the one getting into trouble.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOKs86tOHJ
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Johnny was in the same class with Zoey and me even in high school. Everyone knew him for his notorious pranks. Once, in middle school, he was almost expelled from school for painting bombing the school gym, including the basketball team and staff who happened to be there. It was supposed to be fun, but the basketball team didn’t take it lightly. Some of them almost dragged Johnny out of the gym, all covered in different colors of paint to beat him up. It took the coach and some of the coaching staff to intervene and take Johnny straight to the principal’s office. He got a month of suspension, and he had to clean up the mess in the gym as punishment. The place was a mess, that it wasn’t used for almost two weeks. When he came back to school, no one wanted to associate with him, except for his friends who were just as mischievous as he was.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagLrxHNfTs
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Zoey wasn’t kind enough to mention that Johnny happened to have a huge crush on me. He would do anything to impress me back when we were in high school. No one knows if he still does, though. I doubt it. If he did, he would’ve stopped acting like the mischievous jerk he is and started to act mature for his age. That seemed to be far from happening.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRklc8dbt1
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The real reason why he hated us with all his might was because of one incident. The talent show was coming up, and I came up with a crazy idea with Zoey and Christine creating a dance-pop group. At first, it was supposed to be the three of us. Johnny so happened to get a whiff of the information and decided he wanted to join the group, too. Well, we couldn’t refuse. He seemed insistent. The last thing many of us wanted was to open the locker one day and get paint balled in the face. So we agreed.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwlIe2lD8T
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One afternoon, we decided to meet at my place for practice. To be honest, Johnny sucked at dancing, and we kind of struggled to get things together. It wasn’t until Mike came along from football practice and helped us choreographed the dance moves. Even after Mike helped us out, Johnny was still in the way of things, just was a bummer. At the end of it all, after practice we decided that Johnny shouldn’t dance with us. Paint ball in the face or whatever, we couldn’t have him in our group.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd1DNbhxqV
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He was mad, but he didn’t care at first. He called us all sorts of names, though. Our parents had to intervene and sent him home. We asked Mike if he wanted to join the dance group. He didn’t mind. Daniel also thought of joining in, too. Though he was still in middle school at the time, we thought it wasn’t possible for him to join, but there was no problem since it was a joint talent school for all grades. That’s how our story of being The Toxins started. And when we discovered by Collins, it didn’t sit well with Johnny, for he thinks he should’ve been part of the group. He’s hated us for that ever since.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn2tbNluOt
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“Wow, that was some story,” said Jinwoo.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIaEkljjlg
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“I’m guessing if he were ever to join your group, he would be the bad egg,” said Jisoo.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hWH4GE25C
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“Lee would’ve been done with him a long time ago,” said Christin as she laughed.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQJyteeKBr
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“Collins wouldn’t even think of having him around,” said Daniel. “It was  best to chuck hom ojt before he got the full wrath of Collins.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx3zhC2vSm
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“Does Collins get that angry?” Jennie asked, looking surprised.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuo5lhLw8dI
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“You don’t want to be involved,” said Zoey as she shook her head. “Just standing in the crosshairs of his missiles can leave you scarred.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxfYb4oDWm
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“Who would’ve thought that Johnny really wanted to be a Toxin?” Mino asked as he chuckled.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdbW0uNDGl
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“Well, it’s a good thing he isn’t,” said Mike. “He was just going to paint a bad image of us from the very start.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyNSJkgOtq
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“Let’s not talk about him,” I said. “It’s already too much of a nightmare that he’s here in South Korea.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5L5RvTWPG
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Everyone agreed to change the subject, and we shared stories over what goes in our daily lives as artists. It was close to an hour when I looked down at my watch to check the time. Yong-guk and the other songwriters were supposed to be here by now. I wonder what’s keeping them up.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNo7JWQnIb
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I stood from my seat and decided to take a stretch, and I walked to the door. I opened it and looked down the hall, hoping to see Yong-guk and the songwriters making their over to the room. But the hall was quiet and empty. I got back inside the room after standing for a while. Closing the door behind me, I turned around to see everyone still engaged in conversation and laughing. Even the producer was having a good laugh with all of us.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sRmUz2wqm
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As I stood there, I couldn’t help but fold my arms. It’s not like these people to be this late. After interacting with Ken, Maya, and most especially Chan, they wouldn’t strike to be people who come by late. If something came up, they were sure to call. I already had my phone and decided to call Lee.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bcwu54B9Q
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She picked up immediately. “Hey, Sam. What’s up?” she asked.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9MdHxNPv2
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“Have any of the songwriters or Yong-guk contacted you if they will be late?” I asked. “It’s almost close to an hour, and they aren’t here.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O7Kr7zpQ3
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“Yeah, I’ve been worrying about them too. Maya said she would delay a little along with Ken and Chan. I'm not so sure about Yong-guk. I’ll try to call him right now.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCY0F2IFHe
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“Ok. Let me know what he says afterwards.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu1jlDfGyh
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“Will do.” Lee cut the line, and I stared at the phone, deep in thought. I only hope nothing bad has happened.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkoa2MnyzM
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I join the others, listening to their stories. Thirty minutes later, Maya, Ken, and Chan entered the room along with Collins and Yang Hyun-suk. There was still no sign of Yong-guk, and that worried me a little.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQckymoqlP
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkZlBDen9R
After passing on greetings to each other, we went straight to work. Our two managers left us to it, and later on, Lee texted me, saying she hadn’t received any response from Yong-guk. This was troubling. I noticed Mike throw me a look, shrugging his shoulders. He was obviously wondering where Yong-guk could be. Before we got to work with the songwriters and the producer, I pulled Mike aside to talk to one corner of the room.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj60Zqth4i2
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“Have you heard from Yong-guk yet?” Mike asked.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezMxpbyubh
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“No, and that worries me,” I told him. “If he wasn’t going to show, he would’ve called, right?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ967ta8FdfQ
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“You try calling him,” he insisted. “He might answer to you.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK2dtaOnCT
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCULgmld3D
I turned to my phone, but before I could do anything else, Chan was calling out to the two of us to join everyone else. Mike and I already knew it wasn’t wise to go against him at this point. Not when creating the album is crucial. We joined the others, as it seems calling Yong-guk will have to be done another time.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXswZw2H8Hw
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Since there were four more songs left for the album, we divided into two groups for the time being. One was an all-girl group, and the other was an all-boy group. The all-girl group was to remain in the studio while the all-boy group was to go to the next studio. Maya and Chan were to remain with the producer to monitor the all-girl group. Though Chan said he would be alternating from time to time to see how things go with the all-boy group.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYBODxDGaa
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We went straight to work, with the male folk going to the next studio. Before we got work, I tried texting Yong-guk, but there was no answer from him. Maybe he was busy and I shouldn’t worry. Still, he would’ve told the other songwriters that he wasn’t going to show. I surely hope he’s okay.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZW0QWgm7u
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Working on the song with the girls turned out to be more fun than we expected. After going through the lyrics with Maya, the producer played the beat he had already made, and it was nice and sort of jumpy. It totally felt like a song meant to empower all females out there. After a few test runs, we were able to record the song perfectly. Chan had come in to check on us and was impressed with how well we had progressed.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe0gohufVz
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We were done recording our song before four in the afternoon. The others had also finished recording their song almost at the same time, and we met again in the studio we girls were recording in. So far, so good, was the comment from the songwriters and the two producers. We had done three songs for the album, and now there were only two more to go. One was a duet, and so it was decided that Zoey and Mino were going to sing it. Then, the other one, the songwriters, said they were going to decide who would sing it. Most of the members of BTW were convinced that I was going to be chosen to sing. I had no doubt there myself.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhifpow4Zq
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After working for such a long time, I hadn’t checked my phone until now. I was hoping to find a message from Yong-guk by now. But when I checked my phone, nothing. I pulled Mike aside and asked him if he had tried to contact Yong-guk before we started to work on recording the songs. There was nothing on his end, either. This was worrying. What could Yong-guk be up to for him not just to show up but to also not answer his calls?9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo2AlJnoTc
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It was time to call it a day, and the songwriters left the building first. The WINNER members had somewhere to be and had left the place. We had to remain behind and wait on Lee. Since we were to start filming the music video, Lee had to help organize. We waited for her downstairs in the lobby. The BLACKPINK member had to stay behind and meet their manager. So we waited in the lobby, eating snacks and chatting.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AdKSXGDQq
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“Hey, isn’t it weird that we haven’t heard from Yong-guk the whole day?” Zoey asked.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVUXAgPfRw
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Mike and I sat close to each other. We gave each other a look.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKHBpSqLIS
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“We’ve been trying to reach him the whole afternoon,” said Mike. “But he hasn’t called back or replied to any of our texts.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvmu2E6tnK
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“Should we maybe visit him?” Christine asked as she ate her cheesy corn puffs.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oOHJX8Fp2
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“Yeah, if we knew where he lived,” said Zoey, rolling his eyes.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeTYmvYMx7
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“We can ask any of the B.A.P members,” said Mike. “We did get their phone numbers, didn’t we?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83iz2F18mR
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“Let me call Daehyun,” I said as I scrolled through my phone to check.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAUxmuUnYt
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When I found his number, I quickly called him. I didn’t expect him to answer right away, and he sounded very delighted to hear from me.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEB0onqdFu
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwcG32huOs
“Hi, Sam,” he greeted so cheerfully. “I never expected to see you calling me.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4orhETbsLo
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“Well, yeah, it’s a little out of the blue,” I said. “I hope you’re doing okay.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTSItOjIoU
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“I’m great. Hope you and The Toxins are alright.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8glEeTl2Jh
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“Yeah, we’re. Daehyun, I have a quick question. Have you seen Yong-guk today? He was supposed to be here at YG, but he didn’t show. Could something be wrong?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX96wvbdGf
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“Huh. Funny, I talked to him this morning, and he sounded okay to me. And he was supposed to be there at YG. He told me he was going to YG in the afternoon. Are you sure he hasn’t been there?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFngczQ1cU
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“No, he hasn’t.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB62vRtmNL
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“I wonder where he could be. Now I’m starting to get worried.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xSdtK2p7R
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He wasn’t the only one. The other Toxins heard the conversation even when I hadn’t put my phone on loud speaker. They also had worried looks on their faces. Where could Yong-guk be?9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlOeu4yydF
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“There should be a reasonable explanation not to have showed up, right?” I asked.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzADlijHVq
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“Yeah, if something came up, he would’ve said something. Let me ask around first. Maybe he stopped somewhere and lost track of time or something. But he isn’t the kind to hold anyone up, so I’m surprised he didn’t say anything if he wasn’t going to show up.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pl3aT3Bkp
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“Thanks, Daehyun. We’ll wait for your call.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NgDocmosh
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I cut the line and turned to look at the other four Toxins. No one said anything for a while. We were all probably wondering if something had happened to him. Maybe just like Daehyun had said, he was somewhere with other things to attend to. Right now, all we could do was wait.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7quAw7ubnC
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Lee joined us half an hour later. “Why are you all looking like someone has just died?” she asked when she looked at our faces.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjVyT2U5XV
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"We still haven't heard anything from Yong-guk," Zoey answered.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOE7pffp3X
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"Have you tried calling any member from B.A.P?"9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg3cSGZiht
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"Sam called Daesung," Daniel answered. "Even he doesn't know where he is. He'll call us back if he has any news."9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoO2pTpzuv
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"Well, while we wait, we better get a move on," said Lee. "All of you have to rest. We still have a lot of work to do tomorrow."9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDHEo8U7if
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We all followed Lee out of the YG building and went to the car that was waiting for us in the car park. As we made our way back home, Daehyun called me back. I announce to everyone in the car about the call, and everyone's ears perked up, ready to hear what Daehyun had to say.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5EPywwyzx
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I answered the call and put the phone on loud speaker.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWvHXEenva
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"Hey, any news?" I asked.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGivwElApo
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"I'm afraid not," said Daehyun. "No one knows where he is. I tried asking his brother too. He hasn't heard anything from him either."9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKHwjogt6L
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There was silence from me, including everyone else who heard the conversation.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp242VhDMR
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“Oh, okay,” I said. “Thanks for letting me know. If anything come about his whereabouts, let me know.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNCJ6WeZYt
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“Sure, I’ll let you know.” Daehyun cut the call.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVW0gf2o5W4
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No one said anything as the car drove to the hotel. We continued to sit in silence, waiting for the other speak. I could tell that after hearing the news, they were now super worried, including Lee. I hoped nothing had happened to Yong-guk. If there were any such news, we would have heard something by now.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAEabEYCir
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“Isn’t anyone going to say anything?” Zoey asked as she folded her arms.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrQXXGtYKy
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Daniel who sat at the back shrugged his shoulders. “What’s there to say?” he asked. “Thinking we have a solution to what’s going on, isn’t going to help. That’s if reasonable.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIB9UCpuJ0t
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Lee, who sat in the front passenger seat, nodded her head. “Daniel is right,’ she said. “Right now, there’s nothing we can do but hope that he does turn up. If anything, we can file a missing person’s report. And we can’t do that ourselves, it will be up to the family to do so.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7rrC1soHu
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“Oh, I do hope he’s okay,” said Christine. She turned to look out of the window, deep in thought.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipCgrq2uBl
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“I hope so too,” I said. I looked down at my phone, hoping for it to ring, to find it’s Yonguk calling. But the screen remained black and the phone remained silent. I couldn’t help but feel the worst has actually happened. It was wrong to think that way, the thought kept coming up in my mind.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdzNt8egAX
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When we arrived back at the hotel, we were still gloomy and didn’t talk as much. We all went to our rooms to freshen up and sat in our rooms waiting for any news to pop up. Nothing came up, and I ended up falling asleep with my phone right beside me, in case Daehyun called. Zoey woke me up for supper and we all went to the lobby to have supper. Collins hadn’t come back yet from YG, so the five of us had dinner with Lee. We never said a word as we ate, and that worried Lee.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5Pzs7SAae
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“I know we’re all upset right now,” she said, breaking the silence. “But it feels so weird when none of you are talking.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCO7npHiSf
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“I thought we were simply observing table manners,” said Zoey as she looked at Lee.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUsxLqOv5H
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“Well, it’s not common for all of you to be silent is what I’m trying to say.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDvA41UKqA
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“I think we’re all still pretty worried about Yong-guk,” I said. “Daehyun still hasn’t called me.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl8fhufRqW
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“We can’t do anything for now,” said Lee as she stood up from her seat. “Now, I want you all to join me for a board game. You all need a distraction.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPikl3g8XlZ
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“I don’t feel like playing a card game,” said Christine, giving Lee a sulking look.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvMwCcIvOi
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“If you keep thinking of Yong-guk like you are right now, you’ll die of depression. I’m going to get the board. We’re playing snakes and ladders.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFZWZgqUw7
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Lee left the lounge. She was right in a way. Yong-guk has got us so worked up that we weren’t ourselves. Well, that is to be expected. Lee was just trying to cheer us up and get our mind off things.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GbGdC9d2T
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My phone in my pocket beeped. It looks like I have just received a message. Before I could pick up the phone, I noticed the other entire Toxins’ eyes on me. I paused, looking at them.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJntNiixRvT
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“What is it?” I asked.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW4601QNHT
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“Nothing,” said Mike who sat beside me. “We’re all hoping to receive a message about Yong-guk’s whereabouts.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6pnhgQ8tw
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“And what if it isn’t?” I asked as I raise my eyebrow.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQzmc7J2Z5
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“Then nothing.” Mike scratched the back of his head.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6EzqZ0Mbl
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I took my phone out and quickly unlocked it. The message wasn’t from Daehyun or anyone I knew. It was from a private number. I got scared. Did it have anything to do with Yong-guk?9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlSGwLnUCt
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I heard a door close down the hall and footsteps. Lee was coming back. I had better check on this message quick before she shows up.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsX6HlX9yq
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I open my inbox and read the message. My eyes grow wide with shock. The message is from Yong-guk. Apparently, he had gone to visit a sick friend out of town. His car broke down and his phone battery was low. He had to wait to receive help and when he did, he had to wait for a toll truck to toll his car to the garage. Even with his phone charged, he couldn’t call or text anyone as he was out of phone credit so he used someone’s phone from the garage. I couldn’t help but sigh out loud in relief.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhWg6IR5Yl
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“What is it?” Zoey asked impatiently. “Is it about Yong-guk?”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqI681YQPv
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“Yong-guk is fine,” I said. “He travelled out of town and his car broke down. He’s okay.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhphLVoqTL
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“Told you not to worry,” said Lee as she came in with a board game in hand.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2kRfLggc4
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“I’m so relieved,” said Christine. “Anything could’ve happened with the way he disappeared like he did.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo0GI1hm4T
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“True,” said Zoey. “For a moment there, I thought Johnny must have kidnapped him or something.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdUEaiyPGC
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We all fell silent and looked at Zoey. Zoey noticed our eyes on her.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonzwkWngDI
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“Okay, okay, maybe I’m just exaggerating here,” she said. “But if Johnny did kidnap Yong-guk, it wouldn’t be the first time he has ever done something that sinister.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2ESz1lWfW
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“True,” said Lee. “There’s also what he did with the power recently, and him chasing me down the stairs.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdagTpM2k9t
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“And let’s not forget one time in high school when the drama club were supposed to be performing a play, yet he stole all their costumes the night before,” said Mike. “I seriously wonder why the principal never expelled him when he had the chance.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJw19HEDJ3
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I noticed the look on Daniel’s face. He was contemplating. “Yeah, you’re right,” he said. “But if he were to pull something big, it will have to take a lot of work.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM0YPUXYnY
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“Anyway, let’s not think about Johnny doing his worst,” I said. “Now that Yong-guk is okay, I’m now in the mood for a game.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9VC86KkKQ
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“Look at you, glowing like you are,” said Zoey as she giggled. “I bet out of everyone here, you’re the happiest to know that Yong-guk is alright.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC5s8rVrBM
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“Well, I know where you’re getting at Zoey.” I turn to look at her. “If it happened to be Mino, you’ll be jumping around the place with joy.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GFEYwBx9m
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“No, I wouldn’t.” Zoey shook her head, yet there was no denying that she was blushing.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr9mZBwEqt
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“Let’s get the game going, shall we?” Lee asked as she went to the coffee table in the lounge. “We can worry about Zoey and Mino later.”9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN5kBsg4Zk
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Zoey threw me a side-eye, and I chuckled. I stood up from my seat and started to make my towards Lee in the lounge. Slowly, everyone else followed suit. And with the way we were lively and chatty through the game, our minds were at ease.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jpH9bbxuB
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