The Target Boys

3 - Orientation? Like Being Gay?

"How did you even pass your driver's license again?!" Hyogi screeched, one hand grabbing the overhead handle, another the edge of his seat. "You're going to get us killed before we even get here!"

"Stop exaggerating Hyogi, I am not breaking any law!" Youngwoong said, stepping on the gas pedal. "Yet!"

Hyogi's eyes were practically bulging out of his sockets. How in the world did Youngwoong's parents trust him to drive again? "I'm going to throw up."

"Don't throw up in my car, we don't have time to clean it!" Youngwoong yelled at him, abruptly stopping the car when they reached the red stoplights. Despite being Saturday, Hyogi was really thankful that there weren't that many cars on the road who would report Youngwoong to the cops. "Look, we're going to arrive just in time for orientation! Everything's going to be fine, we're going to earn money, meet cute boys and buy snacks! It's all going to be great!"

Hyogi aggressively shook his head, closing his eyes. "No it's not."

Youngwoong, taking advantage that they were at a stop, took a quick sip of his water bottle. They had gotten ready at his house earlier, trying to follow what the store had sent them in the email about dressing protocol. He hated wearing this ugly red shirt and khaki pants, but he knew that he and Hyogi looked stylish in them.

He set his water bottle down again when the light turned green, so he rapidly pressed against the gas pedal and put his hands on the steering wheel, driving fast again. "We're going to Target, yeah!! We're going to have so much fun-"

"It's a job, Youngwoong, it's not supposed to be fun!" Hyogi screamed at him, shutting his mouth quickly when he felt something go up his throat. "Fuck-"

"HYOGI DON'T THROW UP IN THE CAR, I DON'T HAVE TIME TO MAKE A U-TURN AND RETURN HOME!" Youngwoong screeched again, watching Hyogi cover his mouth.

He made a sudden stop near the side of the road, looking at his sick friend. "Please tell me you aren't dead, you promised we would go to homecoming as friends!! I don't want to go alone-"

Hyogi rolled his eyes, taking Youngwoong's water bottle. "THAT is what you're worried about concerning me being dead?!"

Youngwoong pouted. "It's a legitimate concern- hey, don't drink my water!! I'm thirsty!!"

"I am literally about to throw up," Hyogi reminded him, opening his car door. "Let me drive, I don't trust you anymore."

"But- you don't have a driver's license," Youngwoong said, clutching tightly to the steering wheel. "No, please you can't do this to me-"

Hyogi walked around the car and stood in front of Youngwoong's door, glaring at him through the window.

"Okay, FINE!" he said. He went to unbuckle his seat belt but realized he didn't even have it on in the first place, so he just opened the door and let Hyogi get it. "But you have to let me stay over at your house today. Promise."

***

"Promise me that you'll be on your best behavior," Seulchan's mother was telling him while dropping him off in front of the store. "Please don't act like an idiot."

Seulchan rolled his eyes, unbuckling his seat belt. "Mom, I'm seventeen, I can legally get tried for murder as an adult- ow!"

His mother slapped him on the arm. "Don't talk stupid, just act like a responsible adult, please."

Wonwoo in the back started laughing. "Haha, mom hit Junggeun-"

"It's SEULCHAN! I hate that name." He opened the passenger car door and tugged his shirt collar, hating how it felt like it was choking him. "Bye mom! I'll text you when to pick me up-"