"I can't believe we just hijacked a car." Hwanwoong said in disbelief.

They happily chattered as I drove us around. I had never driven in the west, so most times I drove on the wrong side. Not that it mattered since driving around was always a game of frogger, but the vehicles weren't moving. I peered into the mirror to make sure the others hadn't fallen out of the back.

"Seoho, why don't we get some gas and move on to another state?" Geonhak suggested as he looked at the map of the U.S.

"But we haven't even looked through Cali in full." I said.

"I have a feeling it's far east." he said while looking at the map seriously.

"You can't possibly know. Don't try misleading us." I scolded as I turned into a gas station.

"You don't feel it? Here?" asked Geonhak as he touched his chest.

"No, I don't. Maybe you're experiencing your first heartburn. Congrats." I said before getting out.

I saw Dongju and Youngjo turn to face me as I pumped gas.

"I don't know why some say America is a bad place. It has nice sights." Dongju said.

"It's the people and ugh, how dirty it is." Youngjo said as he gestured towards trash moving in the wind. "But, it's less terrible now that the people are gone."

Dongju silently nodded as he looked at something in the distance. I soon became curious about Dongju's life.

"Hey, Dongju." I called out before putting the pump away.

"Yo?" he said without looking at me.

"What motivated you into becoming an actor?" I asked, now sitting in the back with the both of them.

"I've always had a knack for being overly dramatic and all that stuff. It sometimes feels like I was born for it." he responded as he looked at me.

"What about you, Youngjo?" I asked as I didn't want to leave him out.

"I was a messy child and was messier as a teen. I didn't know what I wanted and the fact that college slowly kept creeping up on me didn't help. Then one day a friend showed me a fashion show clip to point out something funny. It was then I felt something stir inside of me. I wasn't one to ask my parents for much, but they were certainly surprised when they came home and I shouted at the top of my lungs that I wanted to make clothes and needed to learn the basics, stat." he said, looking nostalgic and chuckling at the end.

Dongju and I looked at him in surprise as we never took him to be an indecisive person growing up. We heard the car door open and saw Keonhee stick his head out.

"We're talking about motivations that pushed us to our professions. Wanna join?" I asked with a smile.

"Sure." replied Keonhee as he made his way to the back.

We helped him get situated and waited for him to speak.

"For me, I was always changing my mind about what I wanted as a career. It wasn't such a big deal when I was a kid, but when I entered high school, it became one because college. Throughout my school life, my friends would come to me about certain subjects as I seemed to understand it more than they did. I found teaching them the material enjoyable and it became something I looked forward to whenever they came over. It was then I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life." he said while smiling the entire time.

"What subject do you teach?" Hwanwoong asked from the side.

"Math and physics." Keonhee said.

We all nodded then looked at Hwanwoong.

"When did you get here?" I asked.

"You should be asking him that." he replied as he pointed to the other side.

Geonhak waved while smiling at us. It was nice to see everyone willingly listening to each other's stories.

"What about you, Seo?" asked Hwanwoong.

"Well, since my preteen years, I've always wanted to make a difference and give back to the country. I wasn't really fond of the police force due to personal reasons, and I always admired those in the military." I said.

They nodded in understanding then voted for who should go next. Hwanwoong ended up being picked.

"I don't mean to sound like I'm bragging, but I'm a natural when it comes to dancing. Play any song and I can dance to it. My parents said sometimes it looked like I was dancing in my sleep when I was a baby." he said then laughed at the end. "It's something I love and I want to share that love with others and hopefully open their eyes to how wonderful it is."

We nodded in understanding then looked at Geonhak. He let out a sigh then refused to meet our eyes.

"I was forced into this career. Dad wanted me to be like him and live out the dream he almost had. Mom's a doormat and let him have his way. That's my story." he said unenthusiastically.

"So, you don't actually like soccer...?" Dongju asked surprised.

"I don't mind it, but it wasn't something I wanted as a career. I can't get out of it now though." he said with a sigh.

We all sat in silence at the truth. Not everyone has a happy childhood and I shouldn't have felt so surprised to hear one. We looked at Dongju who had placed a hand on Geonhak's shoulder.

"I know what that's like. People pressuring you into doing something you don't necessarily want to do. My mom wanted my brother and I to be lawyers like her. My brother fled home when college came around and has been living with his friends since. Me? I fled too once I got into college. She was disgustingly oppressive." said Dongju with an empathetic look.

"What about your dad?" Keonhee asked.

"Six feet under." Dongju responded flatly. "Preventable accident."

The atmosphere had become worse. Even if it seemed as if someone was living their best life, they could have an awful past.

"Enough depressing talk. Let's hit the road and try finding a core that will bring everyone back!" Youngjo said with a fist pump.

We helped Keonhee down then got back into our respective spots. I looked behind me and confirmed they were all ready to go. I pulled off then had Geonhak put on some music.

"You listen to Got7? Tasteless. If only you stanned Stray Kids." Youngjo said with a shake of his head.

"Please, as if Stray Kids are any better." Geonhak shot back.

"Are you two serious right now? After all that bonding we did?" Hwanwoong said with a roll of his eyes. "All groups are great. End of discussion."

"Fine, but this isn't over Youngjo." Geonhak said with a huff.

"I'll await our battle then." Youngjo said with a turn of his wrist.

ㅠㅛㅠㅛ

I couldn't help but notice Geonhak couldn't keep his eyes off of me and the map he was looking at.

"Spit it out." I said as we drove down the street.

"It's in New York." he replied while looking at me.

I stopped the car then looked at him. He's been weird ever since we landed in California. He looked at me earnestly.

"What's the hold up?" Dongju shouted from the back.

"Geonhak, now's really not the time to joke around. I thought you got something for your heart burn." I said before starting to drive again.

"Seoho, why can't you believe me, huh? Does it really seem that ridiculous? Compared to the situation we're in now?" he said in a raised voice.

I stopped the car again then glared at him. Did he really think we had time to diagnose what problem he could possibly have?

"Geonhak, listen to me. It. Is. Nothing. Trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with you will only deter us further. Figure it out yourself, you're grown for fucks sake." I said in complete annoyance.

Geonhak didn't say anything then suddenly got out of the car. Dongju crawled out from the back and hurried after Geonhak. I soon felt pain on my arm and saw Hwanwoong had hit me. Youngjo sighed and I could see Keonhee shaking his head in the mirror. Why were they upset with me? I had probably just saved us from going on a wild goose chase. Soon the rest of them had gotten out and followed after Dongju and Geonhak, leaving me alone in the car.

ㅠㅛㅠㅛ

I kept my eyes closed as I waited for them to come back. I didn't know how long I had been waiting, but the blue sky had become orange. I couldn't help but worry that they might've run into trouble. Or they were simply avoiding me. Both seemed plausible. Was what I did really that wrong?

I felt something cold touch my cheek and it caused me to open my eyes.

"Keonhee..." I mumbled, sort of disappointed at who it was.

"We thought you would've left." he said as he placed the cold drink on my lap.

"I'm not that cruel." I replied, moving my seat back to normal. "So, are they coming back?"

Keonhee nodded then tapped me.

"They want you to apologize and take him seriously. Geonhak, I mean. You were pretty harsh on him, despite saying we'd tolerate each other." said Keonhee as he looked to his right. "So, better prepare."

I poked my head out the window and saw them walking over to the car. I quickly got out then jogged over to Geonhak.

"I'm sorry for not taking you seriously enough. I just don't want us to lose out on precious time if it turns out to be wrong. I didn't mean to let it get to that point." I said giving him my sincerest look and tone.

"It's cool, I guess." he responded before walking over to the passenger seat.

I silently blinked as I had expected more. Keonhee patted my shoulder then got in the car with Hwanwoong and the others.