We sat in a circle in an air conditioned room in a hotel late at night. I looked at each of them before speaking.

"I discovered something weird the day before. And earlier today, Carla and I were attacked by that same thing. It looks like a plant root, but it's green and not brown, which makes me hesitant to call it a plant. Regretfully, I didn't take photos, but who would think of taking one when your life was at stake?" I said, making emphases when necessary. "Because of that thing, it severely injured Carla and left me with plenty of bruises. In other words, the planet isn't afraid to attack us survivors if we prompt it to."

They looked at me in disbelief, but didn't voice it. They had every right to disbelieve it, but they knew if it was possible for every single human to instantly disappear, what I had said couldn't be that far fetched. I patiently waited for them to collect their thoughts.

"It makes sense, but doesn't. The planet let us survive, but won't hesitate to attack us." said Youngjo in wonder.

"Maybe it trusts us to do something?" Keonhee laid out.

"Like what? Go on some emotional journey to save mankind and the planet? Hard pass." Dongju scoffed then apologized when I gave him a look.

"For now, lets just try to figure out what our next step is." I said, hoping to steer the conversation.

"For staters, we don't even know if there are other survivors. Even if there are, there's no guarantee the planet hasn't already swallowed them." said Hwanwoong with a serious look. "What I'm saying is, let's just work with who we have now."

"About that strange plant thing, how did you beat it? It'd be good to know for the future." Geonhak asked.

"I didn't. Believe me if you will, but those things are stronger than a human's raw strength. I managed to free Carla by poking it with something sharp. Well, it was more like stabbing, but..." I said as I recalled memories.

I briefly looked back and saw a sleeping Carla. I smiled softly then turned my attention back to the discussion. I felt something brush the back of my hand, but nothing was there when I looked. I glanced at Hwanwoong who happily discussed personal matters with Youngjo. Geonhak and Keonhee had gone into one of the bedrooms for whatever reason, and Dongju had his eyes glued to his phone. I internally sighed and found my legs leading me to the front door.

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I found myself in the lobby then slumped into a chair. We knew what had happened to everyone, we knew we had to do something and we knew the planet would retaliate if it felt like it. The big question was what would fix everything? Was there some monster we had to kill? Some item we had to return? None of us went into floriculture nor the science field. What could we do? A teacher, an athlete, a dance instructor, a fashion designer, an actor and a solider. I covered my face as I slumped lower into the seat.

"Seoho?" a voice called out.

"Go away." I mumbled.

I felt someone move my hands and Hwanwoong's face came into sight. He gave me a small smile as he held my hands.

"Did you want to be alone?" he asked as he sat in front of me.

"Maybe." I replied as I closed my eyes.

"I know, the heft of the situation worsened and it's a lot to swallow. We all feel it. Talking to someone might make you feel better." Hwanwoong said as he rubbed the back of my hands with his thumbs.

I opened my eyes and momentarily looked at the ceiling before looking at Hwanwoong. Maybe he was right. Maybe expressing my feelings would make me feel better. I sighed then told him everything I was feeling. Loneliness knowing my friends were gone. Sadness knowing my family had gone with everyone. Joy when I met the five of them. Guilt when I let Carla get hurt because of me. The bit of rejection when he walked off with Youngjo both times we split up to search. Hwanwoong's serious gaze never left mine as I talked. I had finished speaking and quietly waited.

"I can't say I understand, because there are some things that I haven't experienced, but I can relate them to something of equal value in my own life and understand the emotion." said Hwanwoong as he squeezed my hands. "Don't feel like you don't have anyone to talk to. You have us, me especially."

I smiled softly then pulled him close. I hugged him tight, afraid that he'd leave if I didn't. The entire time it felt as if I had to bear my own burdens alone. It was the only thing I've ever done. I didn't know how to express myself to anyone as I was constantly busy and never had time to keep the bonds between us strong. And here sat someone I never even knew existed until this ordeal occurred, telling me that I could just breathe and say exactly what I needed to. I felt his hand run through my hair briefly before tapping me to let go.

"Let's head back upstairs and decide on the rooming. Maybe we should split up Keonhee and Dongju." said Hwanwoong as he lifted me to my feet.

"I vote against that. You should've seen them last time." I said before telling him my reasoning.

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I lied on the couch in the dark as the others had gone to sleep. I looked behind me and saw Carla sleeping peacefully behind me. It's been a few days since this all started, but in reality it feels like weeks. I heard a door open and sat up to see what it was.

"Hwan...?" I said as he walked over to me with a pillow in hand.

"I couldn't just let you sleep alone tonight." he said in a hushed voice.

"I get that, but, there's hardly any room..." I stated.

He pulled me off the couch then popped out a bed. I looked on in surprise. How did he know a bed was there?

"There. Now let's get some sleep." he said as he placed the pillows and sheet.

"Are you sure? I-" I said, but he cut me off.

"I know. You snore, but, it didn't sit okay with me..." said Hwanwoong as he motioned for me to get under the sheet.

I climbed into bed with him and found it somewhat easier to fall asleep. It wasn't long before I fell into a deep sleep.

ㅠㅛㅠㅛ

I opened my eyes and took in my surroundings. My mind had caught itself up then registered that something was touching me. I looked at my body and saw an arm going across my body. I looked to my left and saw Hwanwoong snuggled up against me. It would've been cute if it weren't for the fact that it was hot out. I poked his body and watched as he stirred.

"Morning already? I- Oh." Hwanwoong said as he observed our positions. "I'm sorry. I should've put a pillow between us."

"It's fine. It'd be a different story if it you were groping me." I said as I sat up.

"Still, I shouldn't have put my hands on you." apologized Hwanwoong quietly.

I waved it off then slid out of bed. I felt we all deserved a break and should head out to do something fun. I looked at Hwanwoong who still seemed troubled over his unconscious actions. I internally sighed then had him look at me. I proceeded to place my hand on his chest as a way to get even.

"Better?" I asked.

"I guess." he said as he got out of bed as well.

"Why don't we all head out somewhere and kick back for a while? After everything that's happened, we deserve a small break." I suggested as we looked out the window.

"How about the beach?" he said as he drew invisible shapes on the window.

"Sounds good to me. Let's tell the others when they get up." I said as I briefly ruffled Hwanwoong's hair.

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Dongju blasted summer tunes as we drove down the road with the windows all the way down. I looked back and saw Keonhee enjoying the music from Geonhak's car.

"Seoho, I think this was the best idea. Though, none of us have swim trunks." Dongju said as he stopped at a light.

"We can swim nude." Youngjo said with a smirk. "Or are you unconfident with your size?"

They burst into laughter at Dongju's silence. His face and ears were tinted terribly.

"Let the guy live. He's younger than us, so he may still be growing." I said, hoping to lessen the burn.

"True. Now that we're on the topic, just how big do you think those two behind us are?" said Youngjo as he glanced back.

We found ourselves in a heated discussion over who's dick was bigger. Somehow the conversation had drifted from dick size to romance.

"So, how many relationships have you been in, Dongju?" asked Youngjo with a sly look.

"3. And you?" Dongju replied.

"1 sadly. People these days are only after looks and money. And I seem to have too much of both." Youngjo said with a shrug.

"What about you, Hwan?" I asked.

"I'd rather not say..." he replied quietly.

"Dude, everyone wanted you. You were the college's most desired guy. Didn't you date like, 8 people? Oh, remember that one girl-" Youngjo said until Hwanwoong hit him in the face.

No other questions were asked as we made our way to the beach. A part of me wanted to know more about Hwanwoong's past, but seeing as how upset he got, he clearly didn't want anyone to know. Though, I could understand, we weren't exactly that close to each other.