GOING BOARDING HOUSE | SEVENTEEN group chat. (Editing)

Trip

"No, who the fuck wants to do that?"

The room filled with arguments, but the mood lighter than before. Everyone was now on the couch, their conversations flowing freely as usual.  "I have a life, and so do the rest of you." Jihoon snapped, his arms crossed.

"Come on," Seungkwan pleaded, his voice taking on a higher pitch. "Seungcheol is paying for it, what's not to love?"

"I have better things to do." Jihoon repeated.

"We  do too," Soonyoung pointed out.

"Exactly, so we don't have time for stupid things like this."

"Stupid?" Soonyoung's eye twitched. Seunghcheol had suggested a list of plans to help the group get closer, and everyone was putting their ideas on the table. Some complains later, the older male decided on a fully paid road trip for two weeks. But everyone had to agree on it, which is what led them to this argument.

"Are you fucking serious?" Soonyoung got up from his spot. He stared at the boy, his arms crossed. "You're gonna ruin this trip just because? Are you serious?"

Jihoon shrugged, his face impassive. Soonyoung takes a deep breath, clearly trying to calm down. "You're insufferable"

"I have no time for pointless things." Jihoon repeated, his tone sharp.

"This isn't pointless." Jun, who had been watching the scene unfold, interjected. "This is a chance for us to get to know each other better, and build a better relationship."

"Yeah." Jeonghan agreed, his eyes moving between the two. "This isn't pointless, and you have plenty of time, considering you do nothing all day." He laughs at his own words, and Seungkwan joins in.

"Fuck you." Jihoon retorted, his voice low, his face contorting into a scowl.

"You wish." Jeonghan winked.

Minghao, who had been quiet up to this point, steps forward. "Look, we all have different priorities, but maybe this trip can be a compromise. We don't have to be best friends overnight, but we can at least try to get along."

Seungcheol nods, appreciating Minghao's attempt to mediate.

"This is so dumb," Jihoon sighed, his eyes closing.

Jun, who was still looking at the shorter boy, spoke up, "It won't be that bad."

"And it's not like we're gonna be in a car for two weeks," Vernon chimed in, his voice brimming with excitement as he sat between Wonwoo and Jun. "We'll have stops along the way. Different places to explore, eat, and chill out." He stood up, his enthusiasm palpable. "I bet it'll be so fun."

"Fun? Yeah right, with y'all?" Jihoon said sarcastically.

"I bet it will be." Minghao challenged. Seungkwan snorted at that, his head shaking in disbelief. He bit his tongue, refraining from adding fuel to the fire, his eyes flickering between the two.

"Whatever," Jihoon dismissed, his gaze shifting away from the group. His eyes met Seungcheol's, who wore a disappointed expression.

"You really won't join?" The older male asked, his eyes softening. Seungcheol sighed and walked over to Jihoon, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Jihoon, come on," he urged gently. "This could be good for all of us."

"I told you already," Jihoon rolled his eyes, his lips in a straight line.

"You're a dick," Soonyoung mumbled under his breath.

"Shut the fuck up," Jihoon snapped, glaring at Soonyoung.

Seungcheol squeezed Jihoon's shoulder, trying to maintain the peace. "Guys, enough. This is exactly why we need it."

Jihoon shook off Seungcheol's hand. "I don't see why I should waste my time with this. You saw what happened at the rooftop, now you want us cooped up in a big van?"

Seungcheol sighed, the older felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him, his patience wearing thin. Jihoon's stubbornness had pushed him to the edge, but he took a deep breath, calming himself. He knew he had to be the bigger person. "I know things got tense, but that's exactly the point. We need to work through it. Being stuck together might actually help us understand each other better."

Vernon, noticing the rising tension, was about to jump in to diffuse the situation, but Seungkwan beat him to it.

"Can we vote?" Seungkwan interjected, shifting the focus away from the disagreement, his eyes scanning the group.

"Oh! " Seungcheol clapped his hands together, his smile widening. "What a good idea. Let's see, we're at an even number, so why don't we do a majority vote? It's easier."

Seungkwan smiled, excitedly.

Jihoon huffed but didn't add anything, his eyes fixed on the floor.

"All those who agree on the road trip, raise your hand"

One by one the group lifted their hands, all except for Jihoon, who kept his arms firmly crossed.

"Okay, then it's settled, the road trip is happening" Seungcheol clapped his hands, "and I'll text everyone else the details. You should all start packing and getting your shit together."

"Yay!" Seungkwan shouted.

"Can't wait." Jun, who had his arm draped over Minghao, chimed in. As they made their out the living room.

"You're an ass," Soonyoung hissed, his eyes narrowing at the boy, his anger still present.
Jihoon, completely unfazed, shrugged and gave him a small nod, before standing up. He walked towards the door, not bothering to say anything else.