"Where are you going to get coffee?" I ask as I stare out the fogged car window. I grip my hands tightly in my lap to warm them. The rain on my clothes begins to stink of dirty water making me feel guilty again. "I thought everything is closed?"

Hobin only shrugs and continues driving down the nearly empty streets. "There are a few places open before lockdown begins tomorrow."

"And open this early in the morning?" I ask in disbelief. "It's four-thirty."

He gives me a smug look, "Trust me, Ara-sshi."

I raise an eyebrow out of curiosity but say nothing. I wonder which coffee shop is open right now.

He reaches over and turns on the radio, making sure the volume is low, and then refocuses on the road. I notice slight dark circles under his eyes like he hasn't slept well in a while too. Under passing streetlights, I catch glimpses of his face and realize he is more attractive than I believed.

He is wearing a thick gray jacket with brown fur lining the inside. He wears an oversized t-shirt underneath it and baggy black pants that remind me of workout clothes. I also notice a bright red fanny pack slung around his waist.

I practice my breathing exercises to relieve the intense headache. I sink into my seat and continue to rub my hands together. The rest of me is freezing but I doubt it'll go away until I change out of my clothes. I wonder if this coffee shop has an open bathroom I could change in.

The radio host talks quietly in the background before announcing the next song. "Coming up next, Not Today by BTS..."

Hobin stiffens and nervously glances at the radio. His hand hesitates to leave the wheel before he reaches over and turns it down.

"Oh," I glance down at the radio, "you don't like BTS?"

Hobin pauses and gives me an odd look. It's as if he expects me to say something else. Or know something he isn't saying. "Do you like them?"

I hesitate to answer that. BTS can get some mixed reactions so I am careful when bringing it up. Sena and I casually enjoy their songs and treat them like any other pop group, but Kyu hates them with an intense passion. Sena makes jokes that he's jealous of their attractive members but I chalk his hatred up to not being into the style.

"I listen to them sometimes," I admit lightly, "I'm not a crazy fan though."

He raises an eyebrow, "Crazy?"

"You know about Army?" I ask awkwardly before shaking my head. "I don't know. Sometimes they can be a little wild."

He doesn't reply this time.

I watch him nervously, feeling like I offended him by talking about BTS fans in that manner. What if he really likes BTS? What if he's Army?

I attempt to save myself from the hole I kept digging. "I-I just meant the sasaengs as the crazy ones. I saw this video about the fan with no pants that kept stalking them... I only meant them. They're crazy. Army is just very excited and they can be as excited as they'd like as long as they respect them, you know?"

Hobin sighs quietly and nods firmly. "Yea I agree with that. I remember when one tried to corner Yoongi-hyung..." He grimaces at the thought, "He was furious, we all were."

We?

"Yeah," I clear my throat and look ahead, "Army must have been angry." That's the 'we' he's talking about, right?

I don't know the names of BTS, nor have I paid attention enough to know their faces, but I think Yoongi is the rapper? Now I am beginning to panic. What if he's upset I dissed Army when he is Army himself?

I turn to him with an apologetic look. "I'm so sorry," I rush feeling the invisible hand return. "I didn't mean to offend you or anything. I think it's really cool that you're Army! It's just my boyfriend... he doesn't like them. My friend says it's because he's jealous... I have to be careful when mentioning BTS around him. I listen to some of their songs and think those are great, so please... don't be upset."

Hobin gives me a look of surprise. "Oh." He blinks a few times, "No that's alright. I'm sorry, I'm just a bit tired. I pulled an all-nighter with my roommates. Usually, I'm more... energetic. Why do you think I'm upset?"

"I thought you were upset about my Army comment..."

"Army is very passionate," he replies earnestly, "they are very sweet too. People often say they're crazy, but that's why... that's why they're the best fanbase a group could ask for. The relationship between Army and BTS has always been strong and I think that's something to be admired. But I do agree with it comes to sasaengs."

Hobin parks in front of Starbucks that is already lit from the inside. A warm yellow glow radiates from inside with modern-esc designs on their decoration. He gives me a sideways smile, at least I assume he is since I can't see past the mask, "Here we are!" he announces happily.

I almost smack myself for not thinking about Starbucks. Of course, it's open. It's always open. The American company shuts down for no reason.

"You can stay in the car where it's warm," he suggests as he unbuckles. "What would you like to drink?"

My brain freezes over at the mention of ordering a drink. I don't understand why it's so difficult for me to order things but there's no use questioning it now. I open and close my mouth a few times before drawing a complete blank. "Ohm... what do you recommend?"

"I love espresso," he admits proudly. "My brother would sell his soul for an iced americano."

"Your brother?"

His eyes flash with brief panic. "Oh, I call him my brother. He's my roommate too."

"How many roommates do you have?" I ask curiously, tilting my head to the side.

Hobin glances to the door and then back at me. He clears his throat and grabs his phone from the drink holder, shoving it into his pocket. "Oh, I have six."

My eyes widen in shock. "Six?" I sit back in my seat and stare out the front window, "Jeez. I guess it makes sense. The rent would be cheaper that way."

Hobin stares at me again like I should know something. I'm way too tired to figure it out. A night on the streets wore me out. I doubt I can keep my eyes open before he returns from inside.

"What?" I ask confusedly.

He blinks a few times before shrugging, "Oh nothing. So what would you like?"

"I'll... get an iced americano too. Sounds pretty good if he's willing to sell his soul for it," I answer as upbeat as I could manage. I smile despite the exhaustion weighing heavy on my eyes.

Hobin nods, appearing relieved, and steps out of the car, "Alright. See you in a bit!" With that, he closes the door and dashes into Starbucks to escape the now pouring rain.

I slump in my seat again and yawn widely. The warmth of the car makes me feel at ease. My worries do not leave me, but I feel better now that I am safe inside a car. Things didn't change because I met Hobin, it just made things feel... brighter.

I needed a break. I'm grateful I accepted his help. He's truly a kind person.

I pull out my phone and check my notifications.

Nothing from Kyu.

I assume it's because it's too early in the morning. I wonder if he's having fun with his cousin. He's never mentioned having a cousin before. Maybe it's a second cousin.

I wonder if he even cares if I'm okay.

No. I can't think that way. I need to believe the best in him so he will do the same for me. I shouldn't judge him for saying no. He is being polite and aware of my reputation. Everything is okay between us.

I turn up the radio and listen to the last part of "Not Today". I hum along to the melody, not bothering to attempt the rap lines and work to calm myself in order to face the rest of the day.

I still need a place to sleep. I can't go on like this. Maybe I should try calling Kyu..? No. That wouldn't work. He doesn't want me there right now.

I wonder if Hobin has any suggestions or places I could stay in. He seems to know which places are open right now.

The lockdown official begins tomorrow but many places have already shut their doors to prepare for the next four weeks.

If I still had my apartment, I would be buying up food that doesn't require a microwave and making sure my streaming accounts were updated. Since my classes ended early for the lockdown, I'd have nothing but time on my hands for the entire month of December.

How I wish things were different.

I fist one hand and nod to myself as I feel sleep take over my senses. I need to do this. I need to keep going. I won't give up. I have to find a place to stay before tonight.

"We won't die, don't ask. Scream, not today. Don't kneel, we won't cry. Hands up, not today..."

Their words ring true in my heart and I slip into a dreamless sleep with nothing but worries and plans swirling in my head.