AUTHOR
Happy holidays! I was on a holiday break btw and I'm back. Enjoy!
**
"What is it?" Gigi asked, her excitement barely contained.
I was still frozen, staring at the card, when I felt Ari lean over my shoulder to read it herself. Her voice was soft but clear as she read aloud, "Name the person in this room you find the most attractive."
As if on instinct, my eyes darted to her face.
Big mistake.
She was so close—her face mere inches from mine. My breath hitched as I felt my cheeks flush a deep red.
I swear, it felt like the entire world had stopped spinning. For a brief, panic-filled moment, all I could focus on was just how unfairly gorgeous she looked up close.
It was utterly distracting, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
I heard Gigi whistle teasingly. "So, who might that be?" she asked, her voice dripping with mischief. Then, with an exaggerated flick of her hair, she added, "I mean, I wouldn't mind if you chose me."
I cringed at her theatrics.
"Why would Yumi choose you?" Somi slurred, clearly tipsy. "It's definitely me she'd pick. I complimented her earlier, remember?" She said this with a confidence that could only come from one too many drinks.
"Don't be ridiculous," Jisoo chimed in, her smirk oozing self-assuredness. "When it comes to looks, she'd obviously choose me."
What the actual hell was happening?
I stared at the three of them, completely baffled. They have to be joking, I told myself.
"I'm her best friend, so she's obligated to pick me!" Gigi declared dramatically, as if that settled the debate.
Oh, yeah. Definitely joking.
I have no idea what expression I was making, but it certainly wasn't one of amusement.
"Oh, Gi," Somi began, her tone dripping with mock sympathy. "You've known Yumi forever. Don't you think it's time to share?" She smirked, and Jisoo eagerly nodded along, clearly enjoying the banter.
What am I, some kind of toy?
"And besides," Somi continued, looking directly at me with a teasing grin, "Yuu and I can totally become best friends too."
I should've been flustered by that statement—and maybe I would've been—if my focus wasn't entirely elsewhere.
Ari.
She had her arms wrapped securely around my waist, gently pulling me closer to her as Somi leaned in just a little too much for her liking.
My brain felt like it had short-circuited. I didn't know how I was still functioning at this point, but somehow, I was holding it together.
Barely.
"No, Yuu is mine!" Ari shot back at Somi, nuzzling her nose into my shoulder as if staking her claim.
I swear to God, I almost died right there in her arms. And if I'm being honest, I wouldn't have minded.
Snap out of it, Yuu! I mentally slapped myself, trying to pull my thoughts back to reality.
Something about this entire situation felt... off.
As the girls continued their playful bickering, I grabbed one of the empty cups and brought it to my nose. The sharp, almost eye-watering smell hit me instantly, making me grimace.
Did some idiot spike the drinks?
The thought made my gaze immediately snap to Yujin, who was silently grinning in the corner like the devil herself.
"Did you spike their drinks?" I asked her, disbelief dripping from every word.
"Yeah," she admitted casually.
This bastard.
"You're mental," I said flatly, entirely unamused, while Ari continued rubbing her face against my back like an affectionate cat, and the other three were still in their own world, arguing.
"Oh, come on, Yuu," Yujin drawled, shrugging as if she'd done nothing wrong. "You're not the only one who wants out of this game. I think I'm doing everyone here a favor."
This prick.
"By spiking their drinks? Oh, sure, you're a real hero," I said dryly, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
This girl is absolutely mental. She could've seriously endangered someone.
After painstakingly scolding Yujin for her reckless stupidity, I forced her to tuck Somi and Jisoo into the guest bedroom, where the three of them would be staying for the night.
As the only remotely decent and sober person in this group, it was apparently my responsibility to make sure none of them tried to leave while completely hammered.
Once I'd finished tucking Gigi into bed, I made my way to the living room to check on Ari.
She was slumped on the sofa, looking entirely out of it.
I knelt down and gently shook her shoulder, calling her name. "Ari. Let's get you to bed. Come on."
I may have sounded calm and collected, but believe me—inside, I was a nervous wreck.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she murmured, "Yuu?"
"Yeah, it's me," I said with a small smile. She looked so adorably disoriented that I couldn't help it. "Let's get you to your room."
I offered her my hand, and she stared at it for a moment before taking it with a teasing smile that immediately put me on edge.
"Are you going to sleep with me?" she asked, her voice playful.
I nearly choked on my saliva.
"W-What are you… what are you talking about?" I stammered, my voice rising an octave as I felt the heat rushing to my face. "I'm just tucking you in!" I defended, my words tumbling out far too quickly.
Ari, the sly vixen she is, gave me a grin that screamed mischief. "I was only asking if you were sleeping in my room. What are you thinking, Yuu?" she chuckled, her amusement all too clear.
Oh, she's absolutely messing with me.
"Nothing," I said quickly, trying to mask my nerves with a forced calmness that I wasn't sure was convincing.
I pulled her to her feet, but she made no effort to stand on her own, leaning into me instead.
"Nothing, huh?" she repeated, her voice dripping with mock disbelief. "Yuu, you're such a pervert," she teased with a grin so wide.
If embarrassment could kill, I'd be six feet under by now. All I wanted was to dig a hole and live there forever.