Swapped by fate

Chapter 21

Hyunjin's POV

We rolled up to Stacy’s house, and my stomach was already doing backflips. Everyone else was loud and hyped, but I just couldn’t focus. Felix, Changbin, Jisung, Lee Know, Seungmin, and Jeongin were all cracking jokes and being their usual chaotic selves, but my brain was stuck on one thing — Nami. Or more like, *her*.

As soon as we stepped out of the car, Felix stretched his arms with a huge grin. “Finally, food time!”

Jisung glanced at me, smirking. “Yo, why do you look like you’re about to throw up? You good, man?”

I shot him a side-eye. “I’m fine. Just chill.”

But of course, I wasn’t fine. Not even close. Seeing Nami again after all this time? Yeah, that was messing with my head big time. This wasn’t supposed to happen. She was supposed to be just a part of our plan. Not someone I’d actually start thinking about... like that.

We got to Stacy’s door, and Seungmin caught my expression. “Why do you look like you’re about to pass a kidney stone or something?”

I glared. “Shut up, dude.”

Stacy swung the door open, grinning at all of us. “Finally! I thought y’all bailed.”

Felix was already halfway inside, completely ignoring her greeting. “Where’s the food?”

“Inside, obviously,” she laughed, rolling her eyes as she led us in. “Make yourselves at home.”

I stepped in behind the others, trying not to look too obvious as my eyes instantly searched for Nami. And there she was, by the kitchen, looking... well, like she wasn’t sure she even wanted to be here. When she saw me, her expression shifted — surprise, maybe? Or was it something else? I couldn’t tell, but my pulse sped up anyway.

“Hey,” she said, her voice casual, but there was something a little off in it. Like, unsure.

“Hey,” I replied, trying to sound chill. But I probably didn’t.

Felix immediately shot for the kitchen like he hadn’t eaten in days. “Alright, I’m starving. Who’s joining me?”

“Relax,” Lee Know laughed, following after him. “We literally just got here.”

The rest of us followed, but I kept glancing at Nami. I noticed she didn’t grab any alcohol, and she was definitely avoiding the bottles. It seemed like no one else was catching it, but I did. She wasn’t about that vibe tonight.

I leaned over, keeping my voice low. “You okay?”

She looked up at me, her eyes softening just a bit. “Yeah. Just... not drinking.”

I nodded, leaning back. “You don’t need to. No big deal.”

She gave me a small smile, but I could tell there was more to it. “Yeah, alcohol’s just... not my thing. It’s caused a lot of problems before. My body can’t really take it anymore.”

I nodded, not prying. “I get it.”

Felix, who clearly missed the entire mood, popped up beside us, holding a shot glass. “Shots?”

I shook my head, then poured myself two tiny shots just to make sure Nami didn’t feel singled out. “I’m good. Just these.”

Nami raised an eyebrow, watching me down one. “You don’t have to do that.”

I shrugged. “Nah, I wasn’t planning on getting wasted anyway.”

She chuckled. “You’re actually kinda decent when you’re not being... you know. *You*.”