𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐬, 𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 || 𝐉𝐊 𝐅𝐅

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓞𝓷𝓮

Where the hell is she?

I glance around the crowded garden, weaving through groups of friends and teammates. Nare, my best friend, is nowhere to be found, and we are supposed to blow out the candles soon.

Strolling up with a beer in hand, Taehyung is dressed in a casual pink polo and jeans. He's relaxed—too relaxed. "You've got that look like when your shot rims out at the buzzer. What's up?"

"I can't find Nare," I say, pushing my sunglasses up onto my head. A bead of sweat trickles down my temple; wiping it away, my eyes scan the backyard again, hoping she has appeared somewhere.

Where is this girl? She should be here.

My jaw tightens. "We're supposed to do the cake soon, and she's disappeared. Sophie's missing too." The crowd blurs as I mentally tick off the places she could be.

The pool? Not likely—she wouldn't go there unless Sophie dragged her.

The kitchen? Possible, but I'd have seen her heading that way.

Taehyung chuckles, taking a sip of his beer, the amber liquid catching the light. He's oblivious to the worry gnawing at me. "They're probably off somewhere plotting a cake-throwing extravaganza."

"I still need to find Nare. This party's for both of us."

Taehyung clinks his bottle against mine, the sound sharp in the midst of the party's noise. "Cheers to that."

"Are you drunk?" I ask, eyeing him skeptically. Flushed cheeks and unfocused eyes give him away. Taehyung, usually steady, sways slightly, leaning against the table of desserts behind us, as if it's the only thing keeping him upright. That wide grin, those glazed eyes—he's teetering between tipsy and outright drunk.

"I'd say filter-naked, but drunk could do it too," Taehyung says with a wide smile.

A quick glance at my silver watch shows it's only half past eight. "Seriously, man? It's not even nine yet," I mutter, shaking my head. Taehyung isn't a drinker, and when he does, he can't handle it. Dealing with him right now? Nah, not what I signed up for. He'll be a mess—clingy, overly affectionate, telling everyone how much he loves them. The thought alone sends tension up the back of my neck.

Taehyung laughs, waving his bottle carelessly, almost sloshing it onto the grass. "Relax, captain. I'll be fine."

It's already wearing on me.

I wave a hand in front of him, trying to get his attention, but his glazed eyes struggle to focus. "Any idea where they might be?" I ask, urgency creeping into my voice.

Taehyung furrows his brow, trying to remember. "Last I saw, they were by the pool," he says, pointing vaguely.

Nodding, I start weaving through teammates, exchanging quick handshakes and nods. Every detail, every decoration—Nare set it all up so the guys could relax before the season starts. She knew how much I needed this, especially with it being my first official year as basketball captain.

Our birthday party has always been about close family and friends, just a small, intimate gathering. But this year? It's different—more about the team, about making stronger connections. Nare figured it would benefit me, and true to her nature, she made it her mission to plan it more for me than for both of us.

Now I wish she hadn't. Socializing drains her, and this crowd... it's a lot.

The thought of her panicking crosses my mind, tightening my chest. I push through the crowd faster, scanning the place for her dark brown hair, for any sign that she's okay. She planned all of this and now she's gone.