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“Nine,” Sulli says in realization

They both know nificance of why I have one until now With friends, I rarely bring up the nickna a fast note and don’t want to spell out Akara It’s easier jotting down the number

I nod “I was born at nine-oh-nine pood luck”

Banks nods back “So you naym Studio 9”

“For good luck,” Sulli chimes in

“And narcissism,” Banks adds

“Yep to both” I s near h Muay Thai It was ht me—but it’s funny to look back and realize there was a lot more about my life that was more Thailand than Philly, eneration My parents don’t speak Thai Their parents didn’t speak Thai I don’t even have family still in Thailand to visit Everyone is in New York I think as a kid I didn’t realize that culture isn’t necessarily just a place”

Banks nods strongly

“Anyway,” I exhale a breath “I don’t know ifor justwhen I was just a kid “Before he left for work in the s, he’d always ask et so animated about it that I knew he really believed in them In what they meant”

Quietly, like so as not to disturb any ghosts, Sulli asks, “You really believe in them too?”

“Yeah, I do” I knead my pal dreams, I think he’d say, be careful, Nine”

Banks sucks in a coarse breath

Sulli stares up at theover us Her determination never wanes Not even as she looks toto climb”

“I know,” I say softly “I wasn’t trying to convince you not to, Sul”

She eases “Okay, good Maybe we should all just believe I have wings so nothing bad will happen”

Banks cracks a s mermaid”

“Doesn’t exist,” I add with a teasing smile

Sulli stands up “And here’s , Kits”

“Yeah?” I look at her head to toe “I’ bean!” I have to call after her because she’s already walking away On a mission to succeed I suished fire, Banks is watching Sulli with the same infatuated expression that I feel

Shit