Page 73 of Wish Upon a K-Star

Elena rolls her eyes. She leans toward me and mock whispers, “They’ve somehow bonded this summer and now they gang up on me like this all the time. It’s infuriating.”

I blink awkwardly at the overly friendly nature of the interaction. I’m not used to new people warming up to me like this. Including me in inside jokes or gossip so easily.

“Oh, um, well, Robbie has always liked…being liked.…” I trail off, not sure if that was the right thing to say.

But Elena lets out a laugh. “Robbie was right, you’re really funny.”

“What?” I laugh out the question because I’m sure I must have misheard. No one ever calls me funny.

“Come on, let’s pick a song,” Elena says, sitting on the couch again and scooting over to make space for me.

I sit down just as Jisung comes over to plop down on the other side of me.

“Hyeri-ssi, I can’t believe you’re actually here.” He grins.

“I can barely believe it either,” I admit.

Robbie lets out a laugh. “I guilted her into coming.”

“Great job.” Jisung lifts his hand for a high five. I want to be annoyed, but it’s almost impossible to get mad at Jisung. He’s like the embodiment of sunshine. “Is Hyejun-hyeong on his way?”

“You’re asking me? You live with him.”

Jisung’s grin turns sheepish. “Well, he wasn’t home when I left. I thought maybe he texted you.”

I wonder if that’s bad. So often I’m reminded that I have no idea what’s going on with my own older brother.

A new song starts up, and Robbie joins Jaehyung to sing a vigorous version of hit trot single “Love Battery.” Jaehyung sounds amazing. I’ve always loved his voice. So smooth and sweet but still fits into the EDM and dance tracks WDB debuted with.

The door bursts open. Minseok and Hyejun enter the room, holding on to each other and laughing at some previously shared joke.

Their entry energizes the entire room. Jaehyung and Robbie let out loud whoops. Jisung jumps off the couch to greet them.

I’m sitting stiffly, unnaturally straight-backed, gripping the water bottle I’m still holding.

Minseok greets Elena with a one-armed hug and lifts a hand to high-five Ethan. And then his eyes finally find me.

His brow lifts. “You’re here.”

“I-I was invited,” I stammer, squeezing my water bottle so hard it spills over onto my lap. I jump up in surprise.

“Here, let’s get you a towel,” Jun says, pulling me into the kitchen.

I turn back to see Minseok throwing an arm around Robbie’s shoulders. “Let’s rock, woori maknae!” He takes the mic from Jaehyung and joins the song. Hyejun grabs a tambourine, jumping around and banging it into his head.

I was invited?Why did I say that? It makes it sound like I have to justify being in his apartment. Like I’m invading his space. But I don’t have to explain myself. I’m not here to see him. Except, aren’t I?

I return to the couch, using the kitchen towel Jun fetched me to wipe the damp cushion before sitting again.

The song has become less trot and more metal as the boys scream the end together. The song finishes and the screen announces that they somehow, impossibly, got a score of 92 despite the out-of-tune screaming.

Minseok lifts his fist in triumph. “Professional idols right here!”

“Fourth-gen kings!” Hyejun declares.

Robbie is rolling his eyes, but he’s smiling.

“That was our gift to you, birthday boy,” Minseok says into the microphone.

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