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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLUyC3m2ZP
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfHAXVexeZ
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqGvtTLlIv
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"Do you know all of you feel like a sorry bunch right now?" Lee asked.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBLoUeMDyc
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4E5wtdvgQ
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MFIEHQiI6
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"Well, when someone like Johnny happens to post such things on social media, then yes," said Zoey, "it is serious."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1PPwfSycc
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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?"21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvLihU1BkZ
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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."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97brBo46Xn
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuPEk8iE9I
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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."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtthdm3AbUy
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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."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23vlJoDg6P
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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."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h5Fqprr1N
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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."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXujlYmjW7
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"But won't saying nothing have the same effect?" Christine asked.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09U3tp7Q9l
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStpeOqs9ku
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“Won’t Collins want to talk about it first?” Daniel asked.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4mlWss3rb
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“That’s why I think he won’t want to pay much attention, and so should we,” said Lee.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUlLGP9bhr
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“You make it sound so simple,” said Zoey. “The next thing we know, he comes in here fuming about it.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbATh0Oqty
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgrrM83pjz
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4IlSgXfo6
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju7khEEySH
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“What is it?” he asked when he noticed the looks on our faces.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOhYJoi5u8
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“Um…, Collins,” said Christine. “You seem pretty chilled.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaTitEZVL5
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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?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoWiLm23XP
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuFVd9BJfD
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYM6HpMZr2
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“But he did say some pretty mean stuff,” said Daniel.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1r5dqBUF8
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOny0F7dcdf
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“I haven’t said a word about it on social media,” said Zoey.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9dCykqEUs
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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?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKOePP9d84
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCVwWz5068
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“We dis listen,” I said. “It’s just that we needed Collins' final words of assurance.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFbjpnpx5g
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSZr7xm0lN
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After Collins left, Lee stood up from her seat. “Didn’t I tell you?” she asked.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz1GwIzBoZ
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0Vbs86XbP
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CuVCr5inF
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“He doesn’t change, does he?” Daniel asked, shaking his head. “People really need to get a life.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSYSfLrFIF
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFcjMZGXNs
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9OyXZrVnS
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp9lTX50cM
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“Morning, everyone!” Seungyoon greeted us as he walked into the rom first.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3ny1TSKuh
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“Morning, Seungyoon,” Zoey, Christine, and I answered him at the same time.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeDbpfMikt
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24n9v9NWJh
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbzi1fEcc5
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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?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB7WLTgtWx
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErc6d0G9Yp
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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?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrllkRGgV3y
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“We will see,” said Christine as we started to walk back. “Maybe we can go out on a later date.”’21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW01RyTZ4BZ
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RmQi4uar1
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“Like what?” Christine looked at me curiously.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeLWAoJnc4
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJuQrPErnI
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“Well, we can always go out privately, out in the country.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14fdaCCbit
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzsfox49pp
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Christine scratched the back of her head. “This is a tough one,” she said.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5ie5ukdS4
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hO9cQCsbg
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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?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMPb0keGwb
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“Yeah, we were doing just that before you came,” I said. “Who should take the lead?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uN4bgqkdX
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8rkzgMi6A
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“Okay, but not any funny moves,” said Mino, pointing his finger at him.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rox58gAmK
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR8unlJX8u
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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 songs21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVj2tqeaiF
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sI0ynH0hB
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUJIWJrOl4
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYopuxyLK2Z
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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?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLNGothQVR
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatpO5eNCyj
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“Sam is better off telling the story,” said Zoey.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzOb9GRJwI
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“Me? Why?” I asked, looking at her with an eyebrow raised.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bv8Sl1iSJ
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4AIW08gBw
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWtXN3Fq9I
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SNeMk1nQ2
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEtKhNV8JU
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWl2ZbMaZUG
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrjsBcJZ9g
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbibsaryA9a
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUswvh61jT
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“Wow, that was some story,” said Jinwoo.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5CP6Rnr9w
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“I’m guessing if he were ever to join your group, he would be the bad egg,” said Jisoo.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GLKyJ5E4T
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“Lee would’ve been done with him a long time ago,” said Christin as she laughed.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqKAEAHBhW
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57AJX5oxkE
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“Does Collins get that angry?” Jennie asked, looking surprised.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehNjOz8h6m
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v72wUjM57
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“Who would’ve thought that Johnny really wanted to be a Toxin?” Mino asked as he chuckled.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3mOeazXGA
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDSbHOIjEU
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGVq7k82UD
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWCtpcW9v1
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs4P7wtJRo
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyqSmO8xZd
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She picked up immediately. “Hey, Sam. What’s up?” she asked.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwLAZbGLCq
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhycRJ5Ek3w
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqtiXyFv5P
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“Ok. Let me know what he says afterwards.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsboStOUtkO
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8ddOA1cPx
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FpcdVPgX1
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1NPTTSZ3N
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“Have you heard from Yong-guk yet?” Mike asked.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3yKYHzVUn
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“No, and that worries me,” I told him. “If he wasn’t going to show, he would’ve called, right?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmoN0htFxV
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“You try calling him,” he insisted. “He might answer to you.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiROdCZRUvJ
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RAFriRVqM
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxmmHaUGRu
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWPDOI2Mfh
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvGKpnZFUs
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFwmr8qmri
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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?21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Whme7cr72
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVG3kSFJmi
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“Hey, isn’t it weird that we haven’t heard from Yong-guk the whole day?” Zoey asked.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoMiESAcRv
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Mike and I sat close to each other. We gave each other a look.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIVLZZ1vTu
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbIXouCHZY
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“Should we maybe visit him?” Christine asked as she ate her cheesy corn puffs.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RUO16kqtu
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“Yeah, if we knew where he lived,” said Zoey, rolling his eyes.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V0A4nCNR7
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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?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJK9jtoU6jY
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“Let me call Daehyun,” I said as I scrolled through my phone to check.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBo76h28Nt6
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspaQLPuuMv
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“Hi, Sam,” he greeted so cheerfully. “I never expected to see you calling me.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSAN6YbFrS
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“Well, yeah, it’s a little out of the blue,” I said. “I hope you’re doing okay.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GdmZi8YYz
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“I’m great. Hope you and The Toxins are alright.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpZINJEf92
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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?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU4ZrnU2xs
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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?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdicy9QTCue
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“No, he hasn’t.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8sE3q6NiM
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“I wonder where he could be. Now I’m starting to get worried.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ8RYWE0d1
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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?21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEghnn9KW1a
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“There should be a reasonable explanation not to have showed up, right?” I asked.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSfw8srjY5
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2r9eLdTOS
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“Thanks, Daehyun. We’ll wait for your call.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0LTXG4DFQ
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXRGL7vjrU
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hQ2xU5Tga
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"We still haven't heard anything from Yong-guk," Zoey answered.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c3ZNeKOx2
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"Have you tried calling any member from B.A.P?"21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtbN520t6c
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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."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtYS4dPcfk
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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."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Kno7oibEo
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmJKXJE20p
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I answered the call and put the phone on loud speaker.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw3wYzhmSL
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"Hey, any news?" I asked.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Rlgn0qWci
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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."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELINjXRqZN
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There was silence from me, including everyone else who heard the conversation.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKNl8SUgtO
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“Oh, okay,” I said. “Thanks for letting me know. If anything come about his whereabouts, let me know.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pVYBo6hkg
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“Sure, I’ll let you know.” Daehyun cut the call.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJj4P53aoF
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fGPWAs112
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“Isn’t anyone going to say anything?” Zoey asked as she folded her arms.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLxYcIAhxG
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBQn4iqCWJ
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnVWpyHLuU
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“Oh, I do hope he’s okay,” said Christine. She turned to look out of the window, deep in thought.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCZlNplC7h
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vJxuI6UXD
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rBaNQV2ln
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEIGhjdLZA
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“I thought we were simply observing table manners,” said Zoey as she looked at Lee.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6JRoCJPGX
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“Well, it’s not common for all of you to be silent is what I’m trying to say.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZuJTCWKDm
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“I think we’re all still pretty worried about Yong-guk,” I said. “Daehyun still hasn’t called me.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFLrhhs7mD
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ0vzbcCof
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“I don’t feel like playing a card game,” said Christine, giving Lee a sulking look.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvaiObKOAb
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ikc1m0uo6
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzxaCoJAgq
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIR03H2HQW
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“What is it?” I asked.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOnwXw43qg
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“Nothing,” said Mike who sat beside me. “We’re all hoping to receive a message about Yong-guk’s whereabouts.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eOZ3xiP4f
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“And what if it isn’t?” I asked as I raise my eyebrow.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQffcypKqU
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“Then nothing.” Mike scratched the back of his head.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWVt6t6TKB
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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?21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBHn2qyGBg
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqRLBOoDGn
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRYiKqCpyr
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“What is it?” Zoey asked impatiently. “Is it about Yong-guk?”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDPWr63Q98
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“Yong-guk is fine,” I said. “He travelled out of town and his car broke down. He’s okay.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA9G5jDMTM
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“Told you not to worry,” said Lee as she came in with a board game in hand.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMXhqzi1wY
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“I’m so relieved,” said Christine. “Anything could’ve happened with the way he disappeared like he did.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLcAA8O79S
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“True,” said Zoey. “For a moment there, I thought Johnny must have kidnapped him or something.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN07fHNzYZ
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We all fell silent and looked at Zoey. Zoey noticed our eyes on her.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7UnZs0HOs
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzXF7cOIUq
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“True,” said Lee. “There’s also what he did with the power recently, and him chasing me down the stairs.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcwb8tZjuZ
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9ghoWrmv5
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7NuKiOEEU
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIaGDt6Bw8
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HDCioQFBt
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWePzVgnCj
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“No, I wouldn’t.” Zoey shook her head, yet there was no denying that she was blushing.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVOVkyfRnm
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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.”21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk3cP2QyKN
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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.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYh70Gkoi4
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