“First of all, don’t apologize for how you feel,” Alex says. “And secondly, you’re right. That is a lot. And can I just say something? Taking your bag isn’t a small thing. And trying to make it look like you’re slacking on your Girls Forever responsibilities is definitely not. That’s crossing a line, Rachel.”

It sounds so obvious when he says it. It is wrong. I think again of Carly Mattsson’s words. Is this still bickering? Or has it now become a result of bitterness? Are the girls really just being thoughtless or are they purposely trying to hurt me?

“It’ll be okay,” I say finally. “This is probably all just one person,” I add, my mind drifting toward Lizzie. She’s always been cutthroat—maybe even more than Mina. At least with Mina, I actually believe that she’s ruthless because she genuinely has such high expectations for herself and everyone around her. With Lizzie, it’s just a petty streak a mile wide. “It’s not the whole group,” I tell Alex. “Once I figure out who it is and have a talk with her, things will be better.”

“You sure?” he says.

“Yes,” I say. But I can hear the doubt in my own voice.

“What are you going to do tonight?” he asks.

That’s a good question. What am I going to do tonight? My brain is so fried, I don’t think I have the capacity to make a coherent decision right now. “Could you give me some choices?” I say meekly.

“Of course,” he says, his voice gentle. “A) Go all Hurricane Rachel and wake those girls up and get some answers.” That gets another watery laugh from me. “B) Crawl back into bed, and try to tune out Jiyoon’s snoring. C) Check into a hotel for the evening, and get some actual rest to clear your head.”

“Thank you,” I say softly. “Option C sounds perfect.”

“Good, ’cause I just reserved you a room at the Park Hyatt,” he says with the hint of a smile in his voice.

“You think you know me so well,” I say, amazed to find that even after this awful night, I’m smiling too. He really does know me that well.

Maybe better than anyone.