Silence ensued after I asked the question and it was only then that I realized that at times like these, they probably already had a pair in mind. I chided myself for being so forward, having grown accustomed to them always at my back. I guess I need to hunt for a partner. I stared at the floor, patiently waiting who will break the silence. It was Kris.   "We can't pair up with you," he said, his voice surprisingly blunt as if there wasn't even a need to say it and I was being dumb for asking.   Even though I had expected it, my heart still sagged down. Kris didn't have to be so harsh about it. I didn't take my eyes off the floor.   "Why not?" Lu Han asked beside me. I could feel him leaning forward to meet Kris' eyes.   "Just because," Kris replied.   I got confused. So they didn't have a pair in mind, yet. I get that Kris was being typical Kris, but why would he include Lu Han?   "Just because you can't doesn't mean we can't as well," Lu Han said, voicing out my thoughts exactly.   "No." Kris' voice was firm. "I'm serious. None of us can pair up with her." I finally lifted my head, throwing a glance at his direction. His face was just blank. And there I thought we were okay.   KRIS   She looked at me, a mix between confusion and frustration in her eyes. I could only sigh inwardly. Has she forgotten her situation? Pairing up with either me and Lu Han will attract a lot of unnecessary attention.   "And she can't pair up with Jieun, either, since the flexibility of roles requires a girl and guy pairing."   "So she pairs up with me and you pair up with Jieun. What's wrong with that?" Jieun nodded beside me.   Then it hit me. She never really told them her secret, at least not yet. A tiny part of me was happy at the simple realization. I shifted my eyes to her; she was still looking at me. "You know why I'm doing this, right?" I said, trying to sound reasonable. "Don't be dumb and tell them I'm right."   She frowned, and then very slowly, her eyes shone with understanding and she facepalmed herself. Then she looked at me again and smiled in disbelief. "Wow, Kris. Thanks." Turning to Lu Han and then to Jieun, she said, "He's right. I can't pair up with any of you."   Lu Han frowned. "Why not?"   "I can't explain it right now," she said. I couldn't see her face but her voice sounded sad. "But later, I will. I promise." Then she stood up and turned to go. "I'll go look for a partner now."   I sighed as I watched her go away. Was it better this way?   LU HAN   I watched Kris watch Eunae leave. Something had changed, was slowly changing, and would probably continue to change, inside of Kris. It wasn't obvious at first, but now, the more time passed, the more it became apparent. And from what I gathered during last weekend's event, how Kris knew so much about what was happening, it was obvious that they do interact. I couldn't help wonder what happened during the other weekends that they were alone on the campus.   I shook off the thought.   "I guess it's just like in high school then," I said to Jieun and Kris as I stood up. "I'll see you later."   Before, Jieun and Kris had always been partners when the need for pairing would come up, the main reason being Kris' dislike for interacting with other people, and I would be left to find mine. I had thought, and hoped, that Eunae would be my partner now, but it looked like I was all on my own again.   Just like her, my mind said as my eyes wandered two rows below, watching her approach a group of Black students.   What could be the reason that she would go through the trouble of interacting with the others, when she doesn't like it in the first place, just to find a partner when she could easily be with me? Or even Kris as well.   I'll explain later. Promise. Her words echoed in my ear, effectively shooing away my curiosity.   Okay, I'll wait, I thought as I turned to the other isle.   GIRL   I wandered out of our seats, mentally thanking Kris again for what he did. I guess it was bad that I had gotten used to having them around, sometimes forgetting that I shouldn't be hanging around them. But really, what could I do? They were my friends now. I would have to try harder from now on.   Two rows below from where Kris, Lu Han, and Jieun were sitting, I saw several familiar faces who were probably my classmates, or not–two girls and three guys. Feeling hopeful yet nervous at the same time, I slowly made my way to their direction. The guy closest to me had just stood up when I reached them.   His lips automatically curved into a polite smile. "Hey classmate, may I help you?" I eased a little bit when he recognized me.   "Um," I muttered timidly. "I was wondering if one of you has no pair yet?"   "Aw, my friends are already paired up and I just got a text, asking for my partnership." He sounded like he regretted it.   I tried not to show my dismay by offering a small smile. "I see. Thanks anyway." I turned to go.   "Wait." A hand took hold of my wrist. "Our group already has pairs but I know someone who doesn't