Our busy schedules mean we don’t get to see each other as often as we’d like, so a group chat is vital to help us stay in the loop with each other’s lives. It’s basically a constant stream of updates from the small—like the time Hyeri finally found a baked potato–flavored Kit Kat at 7-Eleven—to the huge—like when Juhyun’s channel hit five million followers, or when Hyeri got engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Daeho. It’s not the same as seeing each other every day at school or having our regular Baskin-Robbins-fueled sleepovers, but it’s the best we can manage and I’m grateful for it.

Hyeri: We saw online that Girls Forever is there filming an episode of 1, 2, 3, Win!

Ahh, that explains the text.

Me: Yes! LOVING it here. We wrapped shooting, so I’m at Orchard Road killing time and my bank account. Two birds, one stone, right?

Juhyun: Best!! Get me some chili crab and airmail it!

Hyeri: Lol. Same plus I miss you. PS How long are you there? One of our bffs from uni is visiting Singapore right now too. You gotta meet up!

Juhyun: Yesssss! Remember Alex? DO IT. You two will love each other, we kid not.

The name rings a vaguely familiar bell in my mind. Oh right, Alex. She was one of Juhyun’s floormates freshman year, I’m pretty sure. I remember it was the end of my debut year, and Girls Forever finally had a few days off, so I met up with the twins at Stanford. For forty-eight hours I lived the California college lifestyle—afternoons on the quad, nights in the sticky-floored frats. If I remember correctly, Alex was the girl who wore a Twister mat wrapped around herself like a toga for the ABC (Anything But Clothes) party and killed it at flip cup.

I quickly type back.

Me: Sure, I remember Alex! But I’m leaving early tomorrow morning. I don’t know if I’ll have time.

There’s a pause. I can imagine Juhyun and Hyeri next to each other, heads bent close, debating over what they’ll say next before typing out their message.

Hyeri: Too late, already arranging it. Alex can meet you at Petal in 20 mins. It’s got a really cute café!! In Gardens by the Bay, not too far from Orchard.

Twenty minutes? But my solo exploration time… As much as I love the Cho twins and would genuinely like to remeet their friend, chances for me to hang out on my own like this are rare to come by.

Juhyun: Come on, Rach, do it for me! Aren’t you always saying you wish you had more friends outside of the BIZ?? Alex is hella chill and you need more of that in your life, no offense. Love you babe!