stand out

“I know it’s not the most adventurous thing, Arielle but...” Max trailed off for a moment before shrugging his shoulders. “I don’t know, I was thinking maybe we could go on a hike or something? I hear there’s some pretty cool trails not too far from here.”

“I grew up with six sisters, Max. SIX. Do you think I haven’t been traumatized by at least one of us getting car sick or sea sick in that matter? I’ve seen it all,” the redheaded dramatically explained. “Oh, that’s perfect! No no, I usually leave at night actually. My sisters freak out when I do, but it’ll just be me, the ocean waves and the pretty moon,” She nodded with a smile. “Besides, what’s the big deal?! You don’t want your best cheerleader there?” 

“Oh that’s gross,” he responded with a laugh. Max had been an only child. There had been two friends who’d stayed pretty consistently by his side over the years who were like brothers, but that didn’t compare to six constant companions. “It’s not that I don’t want you there, I just don’t want you to feel like you have to postpone something great for me. I mean, you know, the whole team, not just me.”

“I drove to Sonoma because I had this weird feeling to just go drive to Sonoma and so I followed that inkling and there, I found the cutest stationary and wrote a random note and left it there and someone smiled at it?! Anyways, I don’t know why it happened, but it happened. I hated the drive and my butt hurt, but it felt freeing,” Haneul practically blabbed to his friend Max—even though he knew that the other hated road trips. “Okay, so,” He began as he put his seatbelt on. “You and Arielle. Is there something going on between you two that I should know about?” 

“Damn. Isn’t that like...six hours one way or something? Hopefully the smile made it worth it.” He was sure he’d lose his mind if he was trapped in a car that long. Whatever weird feelings Haneul got, Max believed in. The other had an uncanny knack for that sort of thing. His friend’s words had the man freeze momentarily. “Arielle?” A soft laugh escaped him and Max grinned as he pulled out into a gap in traffic. “We’re just friends, dude. I mean sometimes we do TikToks together but I don’t think it’s actually more than that.” Was it? 

“That’s why they created a little medicine called Dramamine OR I could just get you one of those bags in case you get sick. When I used to go to the beach when I was younger, I’d have one handy but that was before y’know—” Arielle trailed off and motioned wildly in the air to mention chaos. “You seee! As long as you have faith in your team—which by the way—when is exactly the game? Cause I could just take off a little later, I don’t mind. Adventure’s always going to be out there.” 

“I mean, the last thing I want to do is puke in somebody’s car, Arielle. That sounds traumatic. For everyone involved,” he pointed out with a grin. “Uh, I think our first game is at like 2:20 or something like that. That’d put you leaving in the middle of rush hour traffic, though which would absolutely suck.” It wasn’t that he didn’t want her to come watch; he did but he also didn’t want to keep her from doing something she loved.

“I know you did,” Hani playfully boasted with a bright smile. Max and Haneul had their own different views in life, but he always felt that’s what made them so complimentary. “FINALLY!” He breathed out a sigh of relief. “I drove like for hours yesterday and I will crawl before I have to drive again,” He retorted dramatically. “By the wayyy—” He paused. “I have a curious question.” 

“Hours? Where the hell’d you go?” Max asked, voice laced with curiosity. With end of seasons coming up, he’d been stuck in practices more than usual lately. Still, he was glad for afternoons like this when he could take time to hang out with friends. As he settled into his car, Max glanced over at Haneul. “Yeah? What’s up?” 

“Wait, really?! We should totally go together one day!” Arielle suggested with a bright smile. If there was one thing she absolutely loved doing it was going on road trips—or any type of a trip with friends. “I’m pretty sure it’ll be virtually impossible to get knocked out in the first round. I’m always hearing my brother-in-law raving about you guys,” She grinned. “Who knows, maybe it’ll motivate me to stay a few more days.” 

“Yeah, I, uh...I get carsick but that could be fun.” He didn’t really get carsick, and he was interested in the idea but part of him was just nervous to take another trip in case it ended up like the one with his dad. “I mean, we are pretty good so...I think as long as we’re all focused we’ll be okay. It’d be cool to see you there but don’t give up your spring break trip for us. Adventure is waiting for you out there and there will be plenty of games.”

“You haven’t but you definitely had that buffering look on your face,” Haneul scrunched his nose up cutely. “I’m glad because I was gonna say—don’t make me make you a self-care kit because I will! And I will personally hand deliver it!” He playfully scolded. “You know what—” He paused and then conceded, “As long as we’re taking your car, I’m fine with it!” 

“I did? Oh, yeah, I probably did.” His thought process had been so much different than Haneul’s. They viewed the world in different ways so Max liked to take the time to reflect and understand. He’d probably come back to this conversation later. “I 100% believe you,” he chuckled. “Yeah, I’ll drive, dude.” 

“I could, yeah…” Arielle thought about it for a second but returned to the question, “Oh! Honestly, I’ve always wanted to go and I’ve never been there, so I figured why not check it out. I haven’t really traveled the state outside of LA, to be honest.” It was probably a weird admission for living in California for almost a decade and not really exploring it. “Really?! Woo, that’s pretty close competition, but I think you guys got it! Maybe I can swing by and watch!” 

“I haven’t done much exploring around here either.” Road trips with his father had taken the thrill out of it one too many times. With friends it might be different but his closest friends usually went on vacations with their families during breaks, leaving Max to fend off boredom on his own. “Coach probably won’t be too happy if we get knocked out in the first round anyway so I think that’s motivating all of us. Yeah, you totally should if you aren’t off on some grand adventure.”

Haneul could tell that the cogs were turning on Max’s side—or at least he thought—he was never too sure nowadays. “Does it truly make sense or are you still trying to rack your brain about something?” He asked inquisitively. “Like I always say, if you can take a few minutes to eat, drink water, and shower, you can take a few minutes to remind yourself to breathe—depending on the day of course,” He chuckled, shaking his head. “I dunno either, but, it’s on me today!” 

“I haven’t gotten hit in the head that hard,” he chuckled. “Yeah, it makes sense.” There were days he barely had time to get the basic things done but he’d do his best to remember to incorporate small acts of self care into his routine. “We can always figure it out when we get there, you know? You wanna walk or go in the car?” Max asked, jingling his keys.

“I’m debating whether I want to take a road trip to San Diego or go wildly all out and go to Vegas. I love road trips like no other,” Arielle mused excitedly. “Really?! That’s amazing! Do you know who you’re playing up against in the tournament?” 

“You could always flip a coin. What’s in San Diego?” Vegas was...well, full of shows and casinos and a bunch of other things that could be done. He wasn’t sure what San Diego held though. “Uh, I think we’re starting against USC. Hopefully we kick their asses.”

“It definitely is easier said than done, I’d be lying if I’d say that people’s words didn’t affect me. At the end of the day though, they’re not me. I’m me. So, I cry it out, I play a nice soothing playlist, take a few days of self care and remind myself why I’m worthy,” Haneul responded, his tone much softer with Max’s. “Exactly! Don’t be too hard on yourself, okay?” He nudged him with a grin. “Ooooh! Yes! I really have a hankering for—flautas? Is that what they’re called? The crunchy tacos?” 

A few days of self care? Where did this guy find the time for that? Max’s day was filled with homework, basketball practice, training for the extreme sports competition, and whatever hobby had his interest at the time. Currently it was learning French. “Uh, yeah. That makes sense.” He adjusted the strap of the bag on his shoulder. “Yeah, I’m still working on that bit.” His head tilted to the side. “Uh...I don’t know, actually.” 

“Most likely just going to the beach, hopefully a mini road trip,” Arielle excitedly blurted out but stopped and giggled. “Sorry, I’m just really excited. What about you? Any super fun plans?” 

“A road trip? To where?” His last road trip had been with his dad and it had been a disaster. That had been years ago and Max had shied away from the thought ever since then. “Uh, not really. Basketball practice and a tournament.”