[CONTENTID1]Chapter 21[/CONTENTID1]

[CONTENTID2]"Thanks for driving me home," I smile sheepishly at Baekhyun. He shrugs nonchalantly, and gets inside the elevator with me.  

"No biggie. You can pay me back by letting me eat your ice cream. And, for explaining the deal with you being a girl the entire time. But mostly the ice cream," Baekhyun grins. I roll my eyes, and try to suppress the blush forming on my cheeks. Leave it up to Baekhyun to ruin a heartwarming moment.  

Pressing the button to my floor, I wait awkwardly for the elevator to ding. Baekhyun must've sensed my discomfort, because he grabs my hand and squeezes it reassuringly. Giving me a quick smile, he consoles me, "If you don't want to explain, you don't have to. I'll accept you either way, Phoenix." 

"You're lucky my mom's working overtime today," I grumble under my breath. The elevator door opens, and we walk out. I head to my door, and pulled out a key. Although a passcode lock was available to open the door, I much preferred using the old method. It's the American part of me, I guess. 

I put the key in the lock, and twist. Just when I was about to twist the doorknob, though, the door slams open and a hand pulls me inside. I let out a terrified shriek, and was about to kick my kidnapper, when Chanyeol's voice rings out,  

"Phoenix! It's me! Stop that!" Baekhyun roars with laughter, knee slapping and all. I flush, and stop struggling. Baekhyun follows me inside, laughter ceasing when he realizes that all of our friends are there, including Taeyeon. They were all looking grim, and expectant, even Chanyeol. Baekhyun sets a poker face on, all trace of mirth gone. I look at him worriedly, but Baekhyun just mouths, 'it's fine,' and walked into the living room, where they were all sitting. He sat across from Chohyun, and as far away from Taeyeon as possible. 

"So the whole gang is here, huh?" I joke, trying to lighten up the mood. "Well, I suppose it's because of the Jeonghan thing. Gather around, children. I have something important to tell you." 

Sitting down next to Chanyeol and Kyungsoo, I look at all of them in the eye. Suho gives me a small smile of reassurance from where he's sitting, and a small thumbs up. Taking a deep breath, I begin to tell them what happened. 

Not just about today, but everything about my past. The reason I moved to Korea, why I didn't like talking about my life in New York, and finally, why I chose to keep my gender a secret from the school.  

"Who's the guy who made our Phoenix's life miserable?" Sehun huffs. "Let me at him!" 

"It's fine," I laugh. "He's across the world now, Sehun. Are you...mad because you're the last person who found out about me being a girl?" 

"Nope," Sehun shakes his head. "Actually, you should ask Baekhyun that. He's the last one who found out, not me." We all looked at Sehun in confusion, especially Baekhyun. Knowing that everyone's eyes were on him, Sehun shrugs. "I knew a few months ago. Remember the first time we visited Crescent Café? I went to the bathroom and you stayed behind to talk to Jeonghan. I heard you guys talking about us not knowing you were a girl when I walked out. I went along with it, since it's your secret to tell. Not ours." 

"So I really am the last one?" Baekhyun whines. "I feel so left out! I know this was supposed to be a meeting to comfort Phoenix, but now I'm the one who needs comforting!"