Rewrite the Rules

Sneaking: Part 57

Panic rippled through the group as phones buzzed with frantic texts. "What's going on?" Samina sputtered, voice laced with worry.

"Looks like it's back to the hotel," I grumbled, my frustration bubbling.

"That jerk definitely didn't help things," Daisy scoffed. "Telling grown men what they can and do can't do."

Hailing a cab, we piled in, the air thick with annoyance. "So archaic," Daisy muttered under her breath.

Nearly an hour ticked by before my phone buzzed.

Namjoon: What happened? Why'd you leave?

Me: Security pulled our passes and kicked us out.

Namjoon: Hell no! We're coming back to hotel. Security's on a power trip tonight.

Me: We're already back at the hotel. So much for a fun night. Totally get it, though.

Namjoon: I'm not some kid they can boss around!

Me: Let's not escalate it. Don't give them the reaction they want.

Namjoon: This is a big deal. A big deal for me. Time to rewrite the rules.

Me: I know, babe. I get it. But reacting the way they expect just fuels the fire. They want a scene.

Namjoon: Good point. I like that. Stay put...

Similar messages pinged on the phones of the other girls. Relief washed over us, followed by a burst of laughter. We shared a glance, the frustration replaced with a newfound understanding – a bond stronger than security guards and outdated policies.

Leaning in, I confided in Samina, "Honestly, Namjoon and I have been together for a few weeks now. Feels like a lifetime somehow."

Samina chimed in, "And I don't want to be just friends with Hobi anymore."

--- An hour later

A barely-there rap on the door went unnoticed by Samina and Daisy, lost in their conversation. Curiosity piqued, I crept over and peeked out. My hunch was right. Hobi and Jimin, faces etched with concern, scurried into the room. The door shut with a barely audible click behind them.

"Jeez, we make it? No, made it?" Hobi asked, worry furrowing his brow.

Jimin, shaking a box of games, added, "Yeah, I thought for sure we'd get caught."

"What's going on?" Daisy's voice cut through the hushed tones.

Hobi flashed a wide smile. "Rebellion," he declared, sauntering over to Samina and planting a quick kiss on her cheek. "We're sneaking out."

"Of course you are," Samina chuckled, rolling her eyes playfully.

"We left our phones," Jimin explained, holding up a device, "so they can't track us."

"The others are coming down as fast as they can," Hobi added.

Daisy, already bustling around the room, chimed in, "We need snacks and, obviously, some liquor."

"Soju!" Jimin exclaimed, a grin splitting his face.

Another soft tap interrupted their planning. Jungkook and Tae peeked through the door, barely a crack open.

"Man," Jungkook whispered dramatically, "I didn't think we'd actually pull this off."

"Do we really need to whisper?" I asked, slightly confused.