kicks ✓ || namgi || k.th

020: experience

chapter 20: experience
location: rochester, new york, day 1

"That was a close call," Seokjin said as they drove into the next city. "Can we not have any more close calls for a while?"

"Uh, guys," Jungkook asked as they drove down the interstate. "That sign back there says we're in New York."

"New York State, not New York City." Hoseok had his maps out. "We're headed towards Rochester, which is about as far from New York City as you could get in New York State." He showed the boys the map. "See?"

"Ahh," the boys chimed in unison.

They drove into Rochester and got a hotel room for two nights. Namjoon thought Rochester reminded him of Fort Wayne and St. Louis, but on the shore of a massive lake. Somewhere across that lake was Canada. If he pushed the supercharged button enough times, would he go to Canada? Would he end up back in Korea?

"Ok, Hobi, where are we headed this afternoon?" he asked after they were all settled into the hotel.

"Well, I try to find things that we can only do in the area," Hoseok said. "I went downstairs and found a bunch of things to do on the lake. Some of them are really expensive, and all of the water sports are sold out. But we can take a tour of a historic lighthouse!"

"Ooh, that sounds like fun." Jungkook pulled out his journal. "More interesting places to visit!"

"I don't think I've ever been to a lighthouse before," Taehyung said, looking out the hotel window.

"Then I'll call ahead and book ourselves a tour. How about figuring out lunch?" Namjoon asked.

But nobody could decide what they wanted for lunch, and so Namjoon drove them all to McDonalds instead. He took down orders and went inside, knowing seven Asian men in a purple van would definitely attract attention. Fifteen minutes and lots of chicken nuggets later, they were on their way. Namjoon wasn't able to book a tour, but they were still welcome to stop by and look at the lighthouse.

They drove north, to the shore. "Are you sure this isn't the ocean?" Jungkook asked. When he looked out the van window, there was water as far as the eye could see.

"This is a massive lake," Seokjin said. "Not the ocean."

"You know how we go on vacation to Jeju sometimes?" Hoseok asked. "Around here, people come to the lake during summer."

"Ok." Jungkook wrote it down in his Duke Blue notebook. "There are no islands in America?"

"There are, Kookie!" Jimin called out. "You're forgetting about Hawaii!"

"Oh, yeah!! I wonder if we could go to Hawaii. Can our magic van take us there?"

"It's random where we go, so I don't know. The van will have to decide that, I guess!"

They arrived at the lighthouse, pulling into the parking lot. It was rather empty for the day, and the van stuck out like a sore thumb, but thankfully nobody batted an eyelash at the boys. They stepped into the house next door, where programs and artifacts were on display.

"So it was built in the early nineteenth century as a fully functioning lighthouse," Namjoon translated, so that the others could enjoy the experience more. "After some time, it fell into disrepair. It would be many years before local high school groups would support preserving the lighthouse. It's changed locations at least one time from what I can tell, so that's why it's a little bit inland now."

"Does anybody want to climb to the top?" Yoongi asked.

Hoseok shook his head. "You guys had me on top of the world in St. Louis. I'm out."

"I want to go," Jungkook said, and he, Yoongi, and Taehyung went outside to the lighthouse. They were led by a museum worker, walking up the spiral staircase until they got to a small room at the top. The old lights were turned off, and they could see the surrounding land all around them.

"That's the lake, right?" Jungkook asked Yoongi.

He shook his head. "I think so. It all starts blurring together after a while."

"I think it is," Taehyung said. He leaned on the guardrail and looked out. "How is it that we always end up on top of the world like this?"

"Last time we did that, you met a cute girl," Jungkook teased Taehyung.

"Yeah," Yoongi noted, "did you ever get a chance to email her?"

"I haven't been to a computer since I met her." Taehyung smiled at the memory of the cute girl he had met on the St. Louis arch. He hoped she would forgive him for taking forever to email! If he was back at school, he would have emailed her by now, but with them being on the run, who knew when he would be in front of a computer next?

They climbed back down the lighthouse, Taehyung leading the way after the museum employee. As he exited, he ran smack dab into someone. "Woah, I'm sorry!" He backed up and found himself staring at someone familiar. It was the same long hair and the same blue dress she had worn before.

"Sara?"

She looked up and smiled. "Oh, wait, it is you, V. And some of your friends! What are you all doing here?"

She had asked too quickly. "Vacation."

Luckily, she seemed to buy it. "That's fascinating. Are you guys traveling across America for your summer?"

All three boys nodded quickly.

"That's cool. I just arrived home from my own vacation. It's so funny to see you here! It must be fate."

Yoongi and Jungkook had to keep "V" and Sara going towards the museum building again. Once they met up with everybody again, Namjoon took charge. "Okay, so we're going to get back in the van and go to the hotel now. We need to decide where we're eating for dinner, and no more McDonald's."

"You're their leader?" Sara asked. She shook Namjoon's hand. "My name is Sara Dinah. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Namjoon knew how to do a business handshake, but damn, was she good. "It is our pleasure to meet you as well. Now, boys, we must head out."

"Aww," Taehyung said with a frown as they all headed to the parking lot. Sara watched them go, headed toward the purple van. She paused, blinked a couple of times, then checked again.

It couldn't be.

She ran out after them. "Actually, could you men drive me someplace please?"