#the buttons it had like a big volume wheel plus some switches that were more like. dials or cranks. beautiful world

[junk-culture]

looking at hot bush pics

[bqstqnbruin]

I hate the way you drive my car

So, we’re ignoring the fact that it’s 4 am but here I am with the second part of 10 things I hate about you. Ignore typos, I’ll fix them at some point (maybe ?).

Also, this might be a little bit of, like, soft smut???? Unsure, but hey, stuff happens. I don’t know if this actually counts.

NOTE: the line about being ‘a pop-up book from hell’ I’m pretty sure that line is from Gilmore Girls that I used in here (I changed it a bit but still gotta give credit)

I hope you like it!

Read the whole series:  I hate the way you talk to me and the way you cut your hair // I hate the way you drive my car // I hate it when you stare // I hate your big dumb combat boots and the way you read my mind // I hate you so much it makes me sick, it even makes me rhyme // I hate the way you’re always right // I hate it when you lie // I hate it when you make me laugh, even worse when you make me cry // I hate it when you’re not around, and the fact that you didn’t call // But mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you, not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all

__________________________

“Because we both know that’s not true.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it.” 

----------

“I need to ask you a huge favor,” you hear him say on the other end of the call as you’re pacing around your apartment out of boredom. 

You groan, knowing that nothing good could come of him asking you for something at ten am on a Saturday. “No.”

“You don’t even know what it is!” he whines on the other end.

“But I know you and know that it’s probably not something I’m going to like if you have to call and ask me.”

“Can you at least hear what I need before you make a decision?” Matthew huffs, clearly a little bothered by the fact that you were dismissing him before giving him a chance. 

You can’t help but laugh imagining the pout he has on his face, the one he would be giving you in person that always, without fail, made you say yes to whatever he was asking of you. But you weren’t in person, so instead of conceding, you tease him with, “Hard maybe, but you’re going to tell me anyway, aren’t you?”

“I need to borrow your car.”

“Absolutely not.” 

“Why not!” he whines again. You can hear him mumbling to himself about what other options he could think that he had, knowing that he had none as it was if you were the one he was calling.

“Why do you need my car? Where’s yours?” 

“We need alcohol and all the boys are busy. And my car is in the shop, the brakes were being a bitch. I didn’t want them to crap out on me when I need to make a sudden stop or something.”

“Yeah, because we both know you’re good at stopping even with good brakes,” you tease.

You hear him laugh on the other end, so strong and genuine that hearing him made you stop and smile for a moment. “What can I say, I pull out all the stops. And yet, I can never use them to get you in bed.” He closes his eyes, thankful that you couldn’t see him regretting saying something that stupid to you. If he kept up this shit with you, you would have a list of way more than ten things that you hated about him. “But, please, can I borrow your car?” You stop for a moment to think, really not wanting to hand over your keys to him. “Your silence means no?”

“You live two blocks from a liquor store. Are you fucking joking?” you let out.

“I never joke about fucking, especially with you,” he says, forcing you to roll your eyes even though he couldn’t see it. He really did mean it, no matter how oblivious you were to that fact. “But that one doesn’t have what we want and the nearest one that has our shit is too far to walk to.” 

“I do not trust you to drive my car,” you tell him, hearing the line go dead. You pull the phone away from your ear to see that he was trying to switch to Facetime, probably to wear you down with his stupid pout that always made you say yes. “There is no way I am letting you drive my car.” 

“Y/N, I am begging. I will do anything.” He juts out his lip, batting his eyes at you in hopes of convincing you.

“I’ll drive you there.”

“I feel like I’m two seconds from death every time I get in a car with you behind the wheel.” 

“Order an Uber.”

“But you’re cheaper!” 

Your jaw drops as you can’t help but scoff at what he just said. He can’t really think that saying something like that to you would work. He didn’t mean it like that, just that it was easier to buy you a bottle of wine than pay for the Uber there, back and the tip. But he wasn’t thinking about that enough to fully explain. You study the background behind him, clearly walking into a familiar building, not quite able to make out why you knew the building based on the angle he held the camera. “Wait, where are you?” 

“Bye!” he says, hanging up on you immediately without you being able to get an answer.

“Evie!” you yell, clearly frustrated with Matthew’s antics. You wait to hear her open her door, praying that she was awake. “Evelina!” you screech again.

You hear her door open and slam shut, her bare feet hitting the tile of the floor in the hallway as she makes her way to you, “If you go any higher, only dogs will hear you. Why are you waking me up?”

“I have another thing to add to the list.”

She groans, closing her eyes and dropping her head back as her eyes followed to the ceiling. “You know how to write. The list is literally on the fridge. This is not something you needed me for.”

“Well, Miss ‘They have to be legitimate reasons,’” you mock her voice, “I had to make sure it was a real reason by your standards.”

“What else could you hate about Matthew?”

“I hate when he drives my car.” 

“When the fuck does he do that?” 

“When I asked her if I could get alcohol from the store on the other side of the city,” you hear Matthew’s voice behind you, causing both of you to jump. 

“Jesus, you’re like the pop-up book from Hell. How the fuck did you get in here? The door was locked!” 

“Evelina gave me a key,” he says, waving his key ring in the air as if you could tell which one he was referring to in the mess of keys.

You turn back to Evelina, your mouth open, eyes wide, eyebrows raised. Everything about your expression said, ‘what the hell?’ without verbally saying it. She shrugs, obviously still groggy from being woken up by your screaming. “He’s here all the time and you always happen to be busy when he’s knocking at the door. It was the third key our landlord gave us, don’t get your panties in a twist.”

You open and close your mouth like a fish, unable to figure out what to say. Of all the people she could give the spare key to Matthew of all people. 

“So why do you hate when I drive your car?” Matthew cuts the silence out. 

“Well if it’s anything like the way you skate, then I don’t think I want to see it.” 

“I said I would do anything!” he whines, Evelina groans, leaving the two of you to head to the kitchen, presumably to write the new thing on the list. 

“And what does that entail?”

“I would prefer something in the bedroom,” he flirts, earning another eye roll from you.

“How about you start by getting my bag from my bedroom and then we’ll go,” you say, waving him off and practically running to the kitchen to find Evelina. “Matthew doesn’t know about the list, right?”

Evelina looks at you, hesitating to answer. Something tells her that him knowing the entire plan wouldn’t bode well with you. “Did you tell him about it?”

“No.”

“Then, no,” she lies. “And the car thing doesn’t count. You’ve never had him drive your car before. Plus, why would him knowing be a bad thing?”

“Because you know him. He’s just gonna flirt with me and try to make me forget that I hate him. You know I’m a sucker for a sweet guy.”

She looks at you for a moment, an eyebrow raised in disbelief. “Ok, I’m going to list all the reasons why you’re wrong, and then I’m going back to bed because I don’t want to deal with you anymore.” You roll your eyes at her, something you had already done a lot today, yet still feel the need to keep doing. “So, one. I really do not know him that well, all I know is that he’s clearly in love with you. Plus, I’m closer with Elias, remember? Two. You clearly do not know what flirting is because you two flirt with each other all the time. Every day. Every minute. It’s annoying. Three. You have a very specific type, and sweet isn’t always a given. I know you have dated three guys, and all three of them were hockey players who always got in fights, had curly hair, really nice eyes, and are always someone pest-like. Does that sound like anyone?”

“None of that is true.”

“All of that is true,” she counters, leading to the two of you going back and forth, bickering about the validity of her three point list. 

“Hey, is this it?” Matthew interrupts the two of you, holding up your bag.

“Yes, let’s go,” you say, taking the bag from him and pushing him out the door. “You head down and start up my car, the keys are by the door, Evelina just needs to finish the list first.” You swear you see his eyes go wide and look at your roommate before he darts out the front door. You could have meant the list of alcohol she wanted. Evelina wouldn’t lie to you about him knowing about the hate list. “You’re wrong,” you tell Evelina.

She throws her hands in the air, walking back to her room,  “Don’t bother me unless you finally realize you love him or you can actually add ‘the way he drives my car’ to your list.”

“I hate you,” you call to her in a sing-songy voice.

“Love you, too,” you hear her reply, closing her door. 

You go down to your car, hearing it before seeing it in your spot since Matthew had already turned the volume on your radio up louder than you ever wanted it to go. Your hand reaches for the volume button before you even put the seatbelt on, muting the music to tell him, “There is absolutely no way you’re listening to the music this loud. How can you hear yourself think?” 

“I’m honestly surprised you even believe I think. But did Ev give you her list?” 

“No, she left it on the fridge,” you say, without thinking.

“The fridge?”

You hesitate, not wanting to tell him about the list. You hated more things about him than you liked, so why did you have to keep reminding yourself about that? And why was it so hard to come up with things to put on there. “It was the grocery list, she’s buying the stuff after her nap and needed to know what I wanted for food,” you lie, hoping he would buy it. 

“Is whipped cream on the list?” he asks, pulling out of the garage. The smirk on his face tells you that you shouldn’t ask to elaborate whatever thought was running through his mind, but you couldn’t help but ask anyway. “So you can spray it all over me and lick it off.” 

“You’d have to clean up my vomit right after,” you joke, hearing his laugh again. “Who’s to say that I wouldn’t want you licking it off me, instead?” you flirt back, knowing it would get something out of him.

Hearing you say that makes him stop breathing for a moment, letting his mind wander to the image of that scene. His entire body tenses up thinking about it, only to be snapped out by you yelling, “Brake, brake, Matthew, brake!” He slams on the brakes of your car, narrowly avoiding rear ending the person in front of you. “This is why your brakes are crapping out!” you squeal, eyes wide with fury at his nonattention to the road in front of him. “I’m driving home, you are not allowed to drive my car back.” 

“Calm down, are you dead?”

“I just died a little on the inside.” 

The smirk from before returns to his face, “We both know you die a little every time we go to work, I’m just helping move that along.” Still at the red light, he takes his eyes off the road to look at you, the smirk turning into a soft smile.

You can’t help but bite part of your bottom lip, the rest of your lips forming a smile. His eyes flick between yours and your lips, knowing that he wanted to kiss you. You tear your eyes away to look at the road, fully aware of his eyes still on you, “Green light.” 

The two of you drive the rest of the way in silence. Was that some sort of moment between the two of you? If he hadn’t been driving, would he have kissed you? And would you have let him? 

No, you wouldn’t kiss your best friend. Nothing would make you want to kiss him. You take out your phone, pulling up your conversation with Evelina. ‘Add the way he drives my car to the list. Or the way he drives in general. I don’t care.’ You sigh, hesitating before hitting send.

“You ok?” you hear Matthew say, hitting send before you can decide not to as you pull into the parking lot of the liquor store.

“Oh, yeah. My boss is just asking me some stuff about one of my projects at work,” you lie to him. Evelina responds, just with an eye roll emoji.  

“Alright,” Matthew says, leading you into the liquor store, “Get something for you and something for Evelina and I’ll pay for it.” 

You just nod, both of you giving an awkward smile to the other as you went your separate ways in the store. Evelina needed another bottle of her favorite wine, but you had no idea what you wanted. You eventually find yourself looking at a bottle of wine with Snoop Dogg on the label, of all people. “What’s that?” Matthew startles you, causing you to almost drop the bottle right on the ground.

“This wine brand called 19 Crimes,” you say, showing him the bottle, “Snoop Dogg is a partner in the company.”

“19 Crimes? Is that how many we’re going to commit in the bedroom our first time,” he says, wrapping his arm around your waist.

You smile and roll your eyes at him. “It’s a reference to British and Australian history, Matthew,” you tell him, admittedly leaning in a little to his touch. 

“Ok?”

“So starting in the 1780s or 90s, Britain, instead of killing their convicts, would send them to Australia as punishment. If you committed one of 19 Crimes, you would be sent there, starting a colony of criminals and eventually turning into the down under we know and love today.” 

“What are the 19 crimes?” He asks, leading you through the store.

“The first is grand larceny, or theft above the value of one shilling.” 

His hand moves from your waist into your back pocket, your breath hitching slightly at his touch. “Keep going,” he whispers into your air, still leading you around the store. 

“The second: petty larceny, which is theft under one shilling.” You feel his fingers start to tense up in your pocket, sending a shiver down your spine as his touch became more intimate. Without waiting, you keep going, “The third was buying or receiving stolen goods.”

He pulls you closer to him, tightening the grip he has on you as he starts to grab bottles from the shelves with his free hand and put them into the cart he was pushing. “What’s the fourth?”

“Stealing, buying, or receiving lead, iron or copper.” 

“Seems weird,” he notes.

“The fifth will really get you: impersonating an Egyptian.”  

He laughs a low laugh, leaning down to whisper in your ear, “Weirdly specific, but keep telling me more.” You could be telling him anything right now, and he would probably be going just as crazy as he was now. Keeping you slightly in front of him, he was glad he couldn’t see how red in the face he was getting from the history you were telling him.

“Six would be stealing from furnished lodgings, so anything stamped with the London County Council seal would send you to Australia. Seven was setting fire to underwood, which is undergrowth in a forest.” You were doing everything in your power to restrain yourself, your hand taking his from your back pocket and moving it back around to the front of you. His fingers find their way into your front pocket, settling on your hip bone as his thumb hooks onto your belt loop.

“Eight,” you keep going before he can say anything else, feeling his gaze on you as you try to ignore the tightening grip, “is stealing letters, advancing the postage, and secreting the money, which is robbing the post office of mail. The ninth was assaulting with an intent to rob.”

You realize Matthew had led you to the back corner of the store, secluded from the other customers. Behind the stake of boxes and the shelves of bottles that surrounded you, no one could see you. Everything he was doing, you would have the same reaction to any boy, you tell yourself. It’s not because it’s Matthew, it’s because he’s just a guy. 

“Number ten?” he whispers in your ear, turning you so that you face him.

“Number ten is stealing fish from a pond or river,” you let out, his hands on your waist as he pulls you close to him. He presses his forehead against yours, your hands on his chest. You can feel his heart racing, almost in sync with yours as you keep going. “Similarly, 11 was stealing or destroying roots, trees or plants.”

“Eight more,” he says, kissing your forehead. 

Your eyes flutter closed, knowing that looking at him would only make this worse for you. “Because of the divorce laws that were in place, number 12 was common: bigamy, the act of marriage while already in another marriage.” He places another kiss on your forehead, his hands on the small of your back to pull him even closer to you, allowing you to feel everything he felt. 

“13 was assaulting, cutting or burning clothing. 14: counterfeiting the copper coin.” His kisses start to trail down the side of your face, tracing your jaw bone as you continue, “Clandestine, or secret marriage was 15.”

“I love that you know this. Four more,” you hear him say, kissing your collar bone as you try to stifle the moan that escaped from your lips anyway, praying that no one saw you two doing this. 

Your eyes still closed, you continue, “Stealing a shroud out of a grave was 16. 17: watermen carrying too many passengers on the Thames, if any drowned.”

You let out another involuntary groan before he pulls away, a low chuckle escaping his lips as his forehead is once again pressed on yours. You open your eyes to see his blue ones staring straight into your soul. You could feel the heat rushing to your cheeks as he whispered, “I think it’s pronounced ‘Tems,’ babe.”

A grin on your face, knowing he was right, “Where I’m from, we say it phonetically.” His eyes flicked between yours and your lips, just like they did in your car earlier. “18 was incorrigible rogues, people who had already been convicted as a rogue or vagabond and resists arrest, who broke out of prison and person reprieved from capital punishment.” 

“What’s the last one?” he whispers again, his lips nearly ghosting yours.

“The nineteenth and final crime that would get a British convict sent to Australia was embeuling naval stores, or stealing naval supplies, in certain cases.”

His lips hovering against yours, not quite touching but close enough to be begging to connect. “In certain cases, would you want this?” 

You knew what he was referring to. Did he actually want this? You were trying to convince yourself that he didn’t, but it was hard to believe that. “Matthew. We...” you hesitate, denying that fact that you wanted to. It wasn’t because it was Matthew, you would be this way with any boy. “We can’t.” 

He exhales, pulling away from you. “Ok,” he says, a weak smile. He takes your hand, pushing the cart with the other towards the front of the store. You drop his hand, reaching for your phone to text Evelina.

‘I hate the way he teases me,’ you send her, not wanting to give her any more context. Ignoring the vibration that meant she was responding to you, you watch Matthew as he checks out the copious amount of alcohol that he had gotten for the guys. He bites his bottom lip as he pays, his chest now steadily moving up and down as his breath had calmed down from before. 

‘This list has to work for me,’ he thinks to himself. He couldn’t let something like that happen again. He couldn’t let you think of ten things. He didn’t even know how close you were to being done. 

The two of you get back into your car, the haul almost completely filling up your trunk. You hadn’t said a word to each other, but you did need to know how Matthew had planned on getting everything back to his place.

With Matthew in the driver's seat, you feel like you need to apologize. As much as you hate to admit it, you were definitely feeling something because of Matthew. Was it because it was specifically Matthew? No, no, it was just... you didn’t know. Something. But, did that just change anything between you? 

“Hey, Y/N?” Matthew snaps you out of your thoughts and back to reality. 

“Yeah?”

“Why did you know all that?” 

“We talked about the English colonization of Australia very briefly when I was in high school, but we never went in depth with it. Then I saw this video of a news report in Australia where a woman had submitted a comment saying that if they didn’t like having all the criminals in their country, they should just find another island to send them to. The news casters were laughing so hard saying that that was how Australia was pretty much founded. So I looked into what it took for Britain to send their convicts to Australia. I guess I liked it so much that I just memorized the list? I don’t know, it’s dumb,” you discount yourself. “Sometimes I feel like people forget that I’m actually a little intelligent.” 

“I think you’re more than a little intelligent; you’re the smartest person I know.” He turns onto his street, you finally realizing that he had driven to his place to make it easier to bring everything up. “I love y-” he starts, realizing he can’t say what he wants to, “I love that you know so much.” 

You feel the heat rushing to your cheeks, getting out of the car to help him carry everything up to his place. You do so in silence, needing two trips to your car to get his haul into his apartment. “I’ll see you later?” he asks, once it’s all in. After that, he couldn’t stay in the same room as you, knowing that he would want to do so much more than what had happened in the store. 

“Yeah, see ya,” you say, going out the door. You shut it behind you, leaning your back against it. You close your eyes, head touching the cold wood. You needed to finish that list as fast as possible. Seven more things before it was complete. “Fuck.”

[sincerelyreidburke]

15 for platonic nando and ben because its not gay to want to marry the homies

First of all, please forgive me. This is only the first sappy prompt, and while I will most definitely fill all of them, it will come as no surprise to anyone reading this that I’m being slow as I do that. Do not worry! I won’t let you down. I love every single one of these sappy-ass prompts.

Second: Percy, this one made me laugh. I hope you enjoy the bro time ficlet I created in response to your request. Featuring Chef Nando, the Beech Street kitchen, and Ben’s incessant chirping of Nando for being a huge simp. (Quinn is only an offscreen entity here, FWIW. It’s 100% Ben and Nando bro time.)

From this list of prompts!

15. “Please marry me.”

Nando is making a mess of the kitchen.

At least he knows it. And it’s definitely not the first time this has happened. He’s lived in his room at the house on Beech Street for almost an entire school year now, and he’s completely aware of his own tendency to turn cooking space into a war zone. He can’t help it! It’s the allure of a kitchen existing downstairs from him, and a kitchen he only has to share with five other people, no less. Yeah, the freshman boys’ dorm had a kitchen, but a gross communal kitchen in a dorm with 200 other guys is a lot different from a house kitchen he can utilize for hours at a time and not get any shit for it.

That’s why he makes a mess in here. And he knows it. Even if he weren’t aware of it, Quinn would have definitely brought it to his attention by this point, because Quinn will not hesitate to start a bickering argument about this exact type of thing as if they’ve been married for 40 years. (Which Nando loves.) He figures it’s better to know something like this about yourself than to live in total ignorance about it.

So, anyway: he’s making a mess of the kitchen. In his defense, he’s making a messy meal. It’s a Thursday afternoon, sunny and warm (or at least warm for March in New England), and the weather has spurred him into the exactly right mood to make a big dinner. There’s also maybe the added motivation of his one class tomorrow having been cancelled, so today is basically his Friday. And also, he was hungry.

Whatever. The point is, he’s making empanadas, and anybody who takes two steps through the front door of Beech right now would totally know it, because the evidence is everywhere.

There’s flour all over the counter from when he was making the dough. The three separate pans he used to make the filling are stacked up in the sink, yet to be washed. There’s a pan of oil getting ready to heat up on the stove, and just for good measure, as if this weren’t enough food, he’s even making beans and rice, which requires two more pots, both of which are in use right now on other stove burners.

The empanadas themselves, which have yet to be fried, are all on a cookie sheet, separated by wax paper. There are a lot of them, but Beech is home to six hungry athletes plus possibly one more if Remy comes over, which he almost definitely will. Nando wants to save at least a few of them for Quinn, too, even though he won’t be at dinner.

Who said you can’t have a big family dinner on a Thursday night? Nobody. Literally nobody. This is college, and he’s living his best life.

Beech is empty, at least for the moment, which is even more enabling. Nando has music on, as loud as he wants it to be. He thinks he knows where everybody is, too, which is helping him time dinner. Jordy has debate team on Thursdays, and Teegs said something about going to the gym. Remy’s in the library, and Ben and Sam both have classes that should be out soon. Marc is probably with that one girl he’s been trying to wheel lately.

So everybody is accounted for, and he has the house to himself, which is how he wound up cooking. Nando turns up the heat on the oil, and waits. His shuffle switches songs, and he bops around the disaster scene of a kitchen to the steady beat. The sun through the window, though it’s on its way to setting, still warms him up, brightens his mood.

It’s a good afternoon.

He’s not quite frying yet when the front door opens, but he is stirring the pot of beans, reaching over to the back burner on the stove to get to them. It’s starting to smell good— everything is. Beech Street smells like home right now.

Not that Beech isn’t home. It’s just not the same home where Mama and his sisters are. It’s a home away from home. And Nando really, really likes the way that feels.

The door is a distant sound, with his music playing. What actually gets his attention is the voice that comes from that direction; Ben, as usual, announces his own arrival before he actually comes into the kitchen. “Holy actual hell,” he calls, as his steps get closer. “You cooking, Nan?”

“You bet your ass I am,” Nando replies, with a laugh. He pauses his music, and then turns just in time to see Ben walk in. He has his backpack over one shoulder, and his jeans are cuffed, so you can see the rainbow socks that match his scrunchie. He puts a hand to his heart as he stops to survey the scene in the kitchen, and then drops his backpack.

“Duuuude,” he whispers, kind of reverently, and approaches the counter. He doesn’t actually comment on the mess in the kitchen, because Ben isn’t the tidiest person. He’s not the worst, but still. Rooming with him was an experience last year. “What’s this for? You got a hot date tonight?”

“No, not tonight,” Nando mumbles, turning the heat down on the beans. “He has rehearsal.”

“Then this is for us?” A gleeful grin crosses Ben’s face. “Like, this is dinner?”

“Uh, yeah?” Nando laughs. “I thought you guys might want a night off from, like, dining hall food.”

“Wow.” Ben puts his hand back on his heart, and sighs like a damsel in a sexist movie. “I feel so special.”

He grins at him. “I love that you assumed Quinn was coming over because I was cooking.”

“Well, yeah, because you’re a fucking simp,” Ben replies, and then walks over to his side of the counter and punches the side of his arm. “Everybody knows that.”

There’s no use defending himself in the face of Ben’s chirping, but he tries anyway. “I don’t cook every time Quinn comes over.”

“He’s gonna be jealous.” Ben pulls his phone from his pocket. “I’m gonna send him a pict— wait, dude, are those empanadas?”

“I still have to fry them.” Nando gestures to the pan of oil. “But yes.”

“Oh, my God.” Ben laughs and swoons. “Please marry me, dude. Like, what the fuck.”

Nando leans to the oven, to turn it on so it’ll keep the empanadas warm. “Well, now Quinn’s definitely gonna be jealous.”

“Seriously.” Ben arches an eyebrow, flashing his trademark smirk. “I’m sending him a picture. I’m gonna tell him I’m stealing his man and the food that comes with him.”

“I feel like you’re reducing me to my ability to cook.” Nando pauses, as he draws back from the buttons on the oven. He grabs a wooden spoon and turns it upside down, pressing it into the oil to test the temperature. It bubbles a little, but it’s definitely not hot enough yet. “Like a housewife?”

“You are a housewife.” Ben is typing on his phone— Snapchatting Quinn, by the looks of what Nando can see on the screen. There’s a black caption bar over a photo of the tray of empanadas. “You’re the Beech Street personal chef. And I love you for it.”

Nando grins. “I love you, too.”

Ben finishes his Snapchat, then puts his phone back into his pocket and declares, “C’mere, big man.” He hugs him from the side, and Nando pats him on the back with his free hand. “You’re a legend,” Ben announces. “Thanks for feeding our sorry asses.”

“Wow,” Nando chirps, raising an eyebrow at his best friend. “Is this you being actually sentimental? What’s your deal?”

“Fuck off.” Ben immediately punches his arm again, but stays in the hug for a second more before he lets him go. “Who says I can’t appreciate the homies?”

Nando snorts. “I know you’re just trying to get extra empanadas.”

“Not true,” Ben retorts, even though it totally is true. He tucks one of his stray hairs behind his ear, and then folds his arms, surveying the kitchen scene again. “Also, where is everybody?”

Nando rattles off the list of people’s locations he came up with in his own head a little while ago. Ben nods as he does it, then shrugs, walking over to a barstool and hopping up into it. “Looks like it’s just me and you, simp boy.”

“Looks like it is.” Nando knows Ben can’t see his face anymore, as he tests the oil again. He’s grinning anyway. “Do you care if I put my music back on?”

“Yes,” Ben replies. “Your music is trash.”

“Hey!” The oil is hot. Nando straightens and looks over his shoulder. “What’s wrong with my music?”

“I told you,” Ben says, simply. He’s scrolling through his phone at the counter. “It’s trash.” There’s a brief pause, and then Nando’s bluetooth speaker makes a little ping.

Connected to: Ben’s iPhone, says the robot voice, and Nando rolls his eyes. “Come into my kitchen,” he mumbles. “Chirp my ass. Disrespect my music.”

“Oh!” Ben completely ignores this, and grins at his phone. “Q Snapped me back.” He pauses, like he’s waiting for something to load, and then announces, “He says he’s jealous and to save him some.”

Nando turns back to his empanadas, so Ben won’t see the smile on his face as he remarks, “Tell him I was already going to.”

“Of course you were,” Ben mumbles. “You fucking simp ass.”

The oven beeps— it’s finished heating. Nando thinks it’s easier to just fry everything at once and leave it warm in the oven, rather than wait for people to be ready to eat and try to time it. He takes a second cookie sheet out, for as he finishes frying. The apron Quinn made him, tied tight around his waist right now, is about to get kind of greasy. Not that it hasn’t already been through hell and back. He’s had it for over a year.

Behind him, Ben is quiet for a second, and then he starts playing Bruno Mars at a respectable volume through the Bluetooth speaker. Nando grins, and sways his shoulders to the opening couple of beats of 24K Magic. “See,” Ben says, with a grin in his voice. “Don’t say I never did anything for you, Nanny. I know what you like.”

“This is a good song,” he replies, and then Ben immediately starts singing. Nando laughs, loud and long, with the sun warm on his face and a good feeling in his chest.

He drops the first empanada into the oil and sings along with his best friend. Together, they make the kitchen into their own little party. Ben is a bad dancer and Nando is a worse singer, but they vibe together in the kitchen anyway, between batches of frying and various chirps. Nando thinks, as he cooks, that he honestly couldn’t be having more fun.

So, yeah. It’s a really great afternoon.

[parkaiur]

Perfection - Jihoon

❀ Comedy + fluff + a dash of angst 

❀ Word count: 6.2 K

❀Being in love with your best friend sucks when they don’t feel the same about you. Once you think you will be pining over him forever, a new boy moves to your school and happens to share all the same classes as you. You start to become entranced with his cute face and fun personality, soon making you forget about the previous boy, or have you?

❀A/N: switching to first pov to see which i like more lol so dont attack me,,,  also im sorry for making these fics so long lsakdjfas idk if ppl like long fics or short fics so some feedback would be nice >.< thank u all for supporting me on my last fic as well ! :D hope u enjoy this one <3

-----

I rode into the school parking lot, rolling my eyes at the loud music playing throughout school. Every Friday morning, the school blared loud music inside and outside the school which I despised. I groaned and parked my car crookedly-- I was a terrible driver. 

“Wow, just another Friday morning.” My next door neighbor, Seunghun grumbled while getting out of the car. We had been neighbors ever since we were kids, and once we hit high school, Seunghun had to start driving me places since he was one year older than me. Of course, now that I was older, we took turns.

“I can’t wait to get out of this place.” I groaned while downing my coffee. I could never function without it. Seunghun patted me on the back. “You still have two years kid. Junior year is the suckiest too but at least it’s almost winter break.” 

I sighed and tried to ignore the rambunctious teenagers that were screaming and dancing to the music. That was just embarrassing. 

“Well, well, well, good morning to you two.” I jumped at the sudden deep voice behind me but my heart jumped when I saw who it was. “Oh, it’s just you.” I joked. Seunghun laughed loudly and poked Hyunsuk teasingly.

“Why do I even bother anymore?” Hyunsuk rolled his eyes playfully while walking next to my side. I felt warm at his close proximity, my face probably turning red as time ticked by. But of course, they were dudes, they didn’t notice. 

Seunghun and I had been friends since we were in diapers, but I’d only thought of him as an older brother figure in my life, and he thought of me as a little sister. Hyunsuk  had transferred to our high school during my freshman year of high school. Hyunsuk and Seunghun were both in dance club and in the same math class-- they immediately clicked. And somehow we all became best friends that told each other everything. 

Except that I had a big fat crush on Hyunsuk.

“School dance tickets are now available at the register! Go get your tickets now!” I saw the president of leadership shout these words through the commons. I tried not to flinch at the volume. Seunghun giggled childishly at my reaction while I pinched his side. “Hey! Don’t hurt me.” He gave me a cute frown which made me resist pinching him again. I knew he could tickle me to death if he wanted to. 

Hyunsuk then smirked and hit Seunghun’s shoulder playfully. “Hey, aren’t you taking Hyemi to the dance?” Seunghun’s demeanor immediately changed from confident to shy. Hyunsuk gripped my shoulder to keep him from laughing out loud. I felt empty when he set his hand down to his side once again. 

“Shut up, I haven’t even asked her yet.” Hyunsuk and I gasped dramatically at Seunghun’s revelation. “Kim Seunghun, the dance is a few Saturdays from today, how dare you!” I faked being shocked while Hyunsuk played along with me. Seunghun rolled his eyes and kept on walking. He was so done my and Hyunsuk’s antics. 

Seunghun then wiggled his eyebrows and punched the other boy on the shoulder. “Enough about me, I heard a little something through the grapevine that Hyunsuk is asking Kyungmi to the winter formal.” 

My heart dropped at the news, but I kept a playful smile on my face. I hoped it wasn’t faltering. “Wait, what? Why haven’t I heard about this?” I punched his shoulder while he cringed at the pain. 

I took a peak at Hyunsuk’s expression which was cheeky and mysterious. He was never the type to get flustered when it came to girls. The older boy adjusted his jacket and wiggled his eyebrows at the both of us. 

“Maybe I am, maybe I’m not.” He said suspiciously while fixing his hair. I felt my hopes getting lower and lower at his statement. Hyunsuk shook his head and slung an arm around my shoulder. I held in my yelp of surprise. 

This is normal, friends do this. Don’t make it weird.

“How about you, y/n? Who are you taking to the winter formal? Any boys been lining up at your door?” I snorted and took his arm off of me so that my heart would stop doing little flip flops.

I took a sip of my coffee and shook my head. “Nope, sorry, I’m the one with the boring love life in this circle.” I tried to not let my voice sound disappointed. I felt Seunghun pinch my cheeks. “Aw, y/n, it’s fine, I’m sure someone will ask you soon.” 

Most juniors and seniors had dates to the winter formal and if you didn’t, you were basically seen as a loser. I was going to be a loser, but honestly I didn’t care about being one. If I wasn’t going with Hyunsuk, I didn’t want a date at all.

“It’s fine, I don’t mind going alone.” Lie. I didn’t want to go at all. I knew Hyunsuk was going to pluck up the courage to ask Kyungmi and I didn’t want to see that happen. Nor did I want to fifth wheel the two of them.

Hyunsuk pouted and looked over at Seunghun. I was scared the two of them were planning something. “Are you sure? We probably have a few guy friends we could set you up with.” I saw his hopeful expression which broke my heart into tiny pieces and I shook my head. “Seriously, it’s fine, I don’t need one and I don’t want one.” My voice came out harsher than expected which made the two boys freeze. I heard the bell ring, meaning we had to now separate and go to class. 

“Truly, I’m not upset about it, just leave it be. I can have fun by myself anyways.” I patted the two of them on the back and scurried to class. 

As I plunked down in my seat for history, I released a sigh of relief. Most days I felt normal around the two of them, but whenever they brought up relationships or dating, I tried to avoid it at all costs. 

I plugged in my earbuds, getting ready to drone out whatever the teacher was saying. I had already read the chapter for this week so my first period was about to become snooze town. 

Before I could turn on my music, I heard a group of girls enter the classroom giggling and laughing about something. I was about to tune them out til I caught a sliver of their conversation.

“No way, he’s going to ask you? Shut up!” 

“Yeah, he just texted me and asked me to meet him after school!” I felt my heart drop as I turned and saw Kyungmi gossiping to her friends. Of course, Hyunsuk already decided to act fast since Kyungmi was one of the prettiest girls in the junior class. 

“Hyunsuk is asking you? I seriously thought he was dating y/n.” A wave of silence washed over the group until I heard a few chuckles.

I felt anxiety creep into my system and I quickly wanted to turn my attention away from the situation. 

“Oh no! They’re just friends. I mean, y/n is a nice girl but...” I heard her whisper the last part. “But I mean, she just isn’t Hyunsuk’s type, you know what I mean?” 

I clicked the play button on my playlist, refusing to let tears fall in this dingy high school classroom.

I dosed off in class, feeling the soft voice of Dean drift me to sleep. Suddenly, I felt someone kick my desk, jolting my eyes open. The teacher pulled out my earbuds which irked me to no ends. I hated when anyone touched my earbuds and I felt the urge to smack my teacher’s hands right then and there. 

“Ah, glad you could join us miss y/n.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes when I saw an unfamiliar boy staring at me. He had round eyes that had sort of an edge to them, making him seem mischievous yet innocent. He was wearing a white hoodie and blue jeans which made him look good. I couldn’t help he was eye candy. “This, is our new student Park Jihoon.” He smiled at me and I gave my best smile back, which was my most awkward one. 

“Um... cool.” I noted lamely, unaware of the situation. I heard a few giggles throughout the classroom. Mr. Kim kept his anger in. 

He cleared his throat and directed my eyes to Jihoon. “I told Jihoon to sit next to the empty desk next to yours, but unfortunately, you were not awake to hear that. Also, mister Jihoon also happens to have the same schedule as yours, so you’ll automatically be his guide for school. Now, onto the second world war.” My jaw dropped as the teacher nonchalantly told me I had to be the guide for Jihoon.

It’s not like I hated the guy or anything, but being a guide for someone at my school means that I had to basically baby sit him. I had to include him in my friend group, talk with him during class, and make him feel welcome essentially. Usually people had to sign up for it, but I never did. I never liked the hassle. But apparently my luck keeps getting worse and worse as the day went on. 

“Hey,” I heard the boy next to me whisper. I turned to my right and saw Jihoon looking at me with bright eyes. I felt my heart waver at his cute stare. 

“Do you have a pencil I could borrow? I stupidly left mine at home.” He whispered. I nodded and tossed him an extra that he skillfully caught. “Thanks.” 

“No problem.” I whispered back. This time, I didn’t plus my earbuds back in.

-----

Class seemed like it ended sooner than usual. 

“So have you always gone to this high school?” Jihoon nonchalantly started conversation with me, which made me envious of him. I had never been the type to make friends so easily. 

I lowered my head so that he could see my entire face. “Um, yup. Been going to school with basically the same people since elementary school.” His face scrunched up in disgust and I let out a bark of laughter. “Yeah, it’s as horrible as it sounds.” 

I noticed lots girls were staring at the new boy who was standing next to me, a nobody with two hot best friends. I tried to not look at the crowd but it was hard.

“So, math next. Love that subject.” He grit his teeth and pretended to look angry. I let out a small chuckle at his childish antics. I couldn’t help my laughter, he was a funny dude. He gave me a small smile in return. “I hate math too, it’s my worst subject.” He nodded but narrowed his eyes at me. 

“That’s surprising considering you seemed like you were falling asleep throughout our entire history period.” I gasped at his accusation while he rolled his eyes. “Ok, in my defense, I already read the chapter, I don’t need to pay attention. I’m only there ‘cause our ass of a teacher has attendance as 20% of our total grade.” 

Jihoon’s eyes widened while I patted him on the back, a habit I picked up from being around Hyunsuk and Seunghun too often. Jihoon didn’t seem to mine it though. “Yeah, I know, that’s I just sleep in it. He usually doesn’t even care besides today since you showed up.” 

Jihoon shrugged and said nothing else as we walked to our next class. 

---

The day went by quickly and soon it was nearing the last period of the day. 

“Hey, y/n!” I heard Hyunsuk yell my name faintly across the busy hallway. I felt my heart jolt a bit in surprise as I stopped in the hallway. Before I could explain to Jihoon who was yelling my name, he was running at me at full speed. 

Hyunsuk quickly embraced me in a hug, twirling me around. “AAAH HYUNSUK, LEMME DOWN!” I shouted into his ear, yet I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. As Hyunsuk set me down, he locked eyes with Jihoon. “Oh, uh, hey, I’m Hyunsuk, you one of y/n’s friends?” Hyunsuk obnoxiously wiggled his eyebrows which made my mood deflate. I hated when he teased me about other boys, even though I knew it wasn’t his fault he didn’t know my feelings.

Jihoon didn’t tease me but instead laughed and shook Hyunsuk’s hands. “Actually she’s my guide, but I’m sure we’ll be close friends by the end of the day.” Jihoon winked in my direction which made my cheeks turn a bright red. 

Hyunsuk gasped and slapped me on the shoulder. Suddenly, I felt Hyunsuk pull me closer to him protectively. My blush, that was already bright pink, deepened at the contact. “Gasp, the only people y/n is close with is with me and Seunghun, the tall blonde tree over there.” Jihoon peaked over my shoulder to take a look at Seunghun. “Huh, interesting.” Jihoon mumbled.

I felt Hyunsuk’s arms grow looser around my body which made me sigh in relief. Jihoon raised a brow at me but said nothing to my odd behavior. 

“Hyunsuk, over here!” I saw another group of boys calling Hyunsuk over which meant he was leaving me. He gave me a pat on the back and glared at Jihoon before walking away. “I’m watching you boy, no funny business with y/n or else you’ll...” Hyunsuk did the cutting neck motion to which Jihoon responded with raised brows. Hyunsuk ran over to the other guy and molded quickly into the group. He was always really good at fitting in.

I noticed Jihoon was already looking at me when I turned to meet his gaze. “Um, sorry about that, Hyunsuk and Seunghun, the tree, are sort of protective of me. We’ve been friends for a long time now.” I explained to him. Jihoon gave me a soft grin.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and glanced over to Hyunsuk. “So, does he know that you like him?” I choked on my own spit at his accusation. Wait, what? How did he guess that? 

Lie. You have to lie. “Um, what? I do not like Hyunsuk.” I spat out fake laughter and shook my head nervously. Ok I was a terrible liar. 

Jihoon gave me the look. That look someone gives you when they’re calling you on your bullshit. I sighed and gave in. “Ok, yes, maybe I do have a tiny crush on him but he doesn’t know, and he shall never know, got it?” I glared at the taller boy as he raised his hands in surrender.

“I’ll never tell another living soul, you’re secret is safe with me.” He pretended to zip his lips and throw away the key, making me chuckle in response. 

We walked into our English class together, sitting near the back of the class, where I usually sat. 

Jihoon abruptly turned to me. “Ok.. are you always this angsty? You sit at the back of classroom with your hood up and earbuds in in every single class. You act like you don’t know anything but somehow you answer every question a teacher asks you right.” He moved closer to you. He gently whispered in my ear, “and you fall for your best friend and never risk telling him because hmmm you’re probably too scared to get too close to somebody. What’s your story?” 

I should be getting upset at his mention of my crush, but all I could focus on was how close he was to me. Snap out of it, y/n, your hormones are just whack because all the guys you see are Seunghun and Hyunsuk. Chill. 

I leaned back in my chair, trying to calm my racing heart. His face wasn’t judgmental, but rather curious. “Hm, that’s a loaded question, or questions I guess. I don’t know how to describe my angstyness or where it came from. Also I can’t give you a reason as to why I like who I like and why I choose to hide it besides that it’s embarrassing.” I said the last two words louder and smacked his arm playfully. He laughed and clutched it like he was in pain. 

“Ouchhhh,” He whined and held it out to me. “Kiss it and make it feel better.” He jutted out his plump bottom lip to act cute. I gasped and hit his arm again. 

He, in return, laughed and pulled his arm away. “See, we’re practically best friends now.” He said softly. I had nothing to say because the teacher started class already but I had to admit, he had a way at making my cold facade warm.

------

It was the end of the day, finally, and Jihoon and I parted our separate ways. We exchanged numbers and he made me promise I wouldn’t drop him after the first day. To be honest, I don’t think I could if I tried. 

I walked to the parking lot, my familiar hood up and earbuds in. Even though I expected it, I felt two hands on my shoulder that pushed off of me, making me stop in surprise. I paused my music and took out my earbuds to face an excited Hyunsuk and Seunghun. 

“What-”

They both slung an arm around me, which made me greatly suspicious. “So, boy.”

“Dude.” 

“Guy.”

“Male.” 

“Cute boy.”

“Nice boy.” 

“Funny-”

“Oh would you two shut up?” I shoved them away and walked faster to the car. I heard them both laughing, even though their teasing wasn’t that funny. Especially when I still had feelings for Hyunsuk.

“Aw c’mon, it’s just I’ve never seen you with other guys... or other people besides us... willingly... like ever.” Hyunsuk babbled. Seunghun nodded in agreement. “He’s right. You always keep to yourself, I swear you were never going to make friends with anyone besides us your entire high school career.” Seunghun admit. I rolled my eyes and tried to get in my car. But the two stopped me to question me some more. 

Suddenly, in the corner of my eye, I saw Jihoon walking out, probably walking to his car as well. Somehow, the boy caught my eye and immediately waved and smiled. I didn’t want to be rude so I obviously reciprocated his actions. As he turned away, Seunghun and Hyunsuk looked at me with wide eyes.

“Woaaahhhh that was the nicest I’ve ever seen you act to someone. Are you sure you’re y/n??” Hyunsuk pressed his hand to my forehead which now burned because of his gentle touch. “Hey, you’re actually warm. Are you getting sick?” He stood closer to me and examined my face. I could tell he was worried because of his furrowed brows. 

Before he could think too much into it, I pulled his hand off. “Maybe I’m warm because I’m so angry at you two for being annoying assholes.” I spat and then proceeded to jump into the drivers seat. “Bye, Hyunsuk.” I pulled out of the driveway quickly and ignored Seunghun’s stare.

“Y/n, are you really getting sick? It’s almost Christmas, I don’t want you to miss out on our annual movie marathon.” Seunghun said, concern laced in his voice. Out of the two boys, I was closer to Seunghun. Yes, I loved Hyunsuk as much as I loved Seunghun, but Seunghun and I had a history together. He got me and I got him. It was painful to keep this secret from him, but knowing Seunghun, he would tell Hyunsuk immediately, not to be a prick, but because he would think it was the right thing to do. And I could never let Hyunsuk know how I feel about him. Ever.

I slapped his hand away playfully. “Shut up, it’s like a month to Christmas, I’ll be fine by then even if I am getting sick. And if I am getting sick, it’s because you two had the smart idea to have a water balloon fight in the middle of December.” Seunghun burst into laughter at the memory. I couldn’t help myself chuckle as well.

“You’re right, I take full responsibility along with Hyunsuk. We will cater to your needs if you do get sick.” He pretended to bow and I just shoved him away. Bantering with him like this felt normal, and I liked normal.

-----

Normal did not last long. 

I curled up in my bed, reading to read a trilogy I had been looking forward to getting into during the week. I felt my bed vibrate which signaled that I got a text. 

As I saw who the text was from, my eyes widened. “What the heck.” I whispered to myself, praying my parents didn’t hear me having a mental breakdown at 11pm. I took a deep breath and opened the text.

‘what’s fun to do around here? i’m dying of boredom x_x’ I chuckled at the use of his self-made emoji. He even texted cute. 

I waited a few seconds to not make me seem eager and replied ‘um... read a book?’ 

He read it. My heart was pounding. ‘... r u joking?’

I tried to conceal my laughter. ‘no... that’s what im doing right now’

‘wow... how sexy’ This time, I couldn’t help the giggles that flew from my mouth. Hopefully my parents were in deep slumber. ‘too strong?’ He texted back quickly.

‘no, you have the same humor as seunghun and hyunsuk tho lol’ 

‘wow the same humor as your two besties ,, im flattered’

‘is that sarcasm i detect?’

‘no sarcasm here captain’

I chuckled at his cute humor. I couldn’t help but feel like I’ve known this guy for years, yet I just met him yesterday. 

Suddenly, I saw those three dots appear. I gulped in anticipation. ‘are you ok?’ he texted randomly. I furrowed my brows in confusion.

‘why wouldnt i be?’

‘... you know...’

‘???’

‘... hyunsuk asked kyungmi to the dance.’ he deadpanned. Somehow, that thought had completely left my mind. And for some odd reason, I didn’t feel all too upset about it anymore. 

Fuck, that’s going on? You like Hyunsuk. You should be feeling upset. 

‘oh yeah, im fine, ill get over it tbh’

He read my message, but took a little longer to respond. I grew nervous at his next words. 

‘can i call you?’

Suddenly, my conscious just flew out the window. “What the... shoot what do I do?” I whispered to myself. It wasn’t like I didn’t want to call him, or that I was weirded out by it, but because I was nervous. 

“Fuck it.”

‘sure’ I waited for him to read the text. I heard my phone ring and I immediately picked it up so my parents wouldn’t hear. 

“Hi.” He said. His voice was deeper than usual and I heard lots rustling, meaning he was probably in bed. 

“Hey.” I replied back lamely. I had never really done the phone call thing. Seunghun lived right next door to me, so if he wanted to talk, then he would just pop over. Hyunsuk would just drive to one of our houses and force us to hang out with him. I guess I’d never experienced a normal high school friendship.

“So...” He trailed off. I held in my laugh. It seemed like everything he said was funny to me. “So...” I trailed off as well. 

“What are you wearing right now?” His voice dropped a few octaves, but his tone made me burst out into laughter. I covered my mouth quickly. 

“What the fuck, Jihoon??” I whispered hurriedly. I heard him holding in his laughter as well. “Sorry, it was an innocent question.” He joked.

There was a moment of silence for a second. “Polar bear pajamas.” I finally answered. 

“I’m wearing my boxers.” I spat out laughter at his truthful response. “What? Guys don’t really sleep in lots of clothes.” I covered my face, trying to not imagine what he looked like. 

“You’re an idiot, Jihoon. But, I need to hang up because you’re making me laugh too hard and my parents are in the room next to me.” I said truthfully. I heard him whine over the phone and I couldn’t almost visualize a pout.

“Then why did you agree to call in the first place?” He whined. “Because, I was curious on what you had to say.” I said truthfully. 

He paused for a moment, probably trying to soak in my words. “Good point. But, ok, I’ll let you go then so your parents don’t hunt me down for making their daughter laugh.” I bit my lip, hiding a smile at the declaration. 

“Goodnight.” He whispered softly. 

“Goodnight, Jihoon.” I waited a few moments til I hung up the phone, setting it on my counter.

What am I doing? I like Hyunsuk.

-----

I admit, I was a bit nervous to see Jihoon on Monday again. After our talk on Saturday, I felt like we got closer. I’d never bonded with anyone so fast before, well besides Seunghun and Hyunsuk. 

I sat down in our history class and listened to music. I felt a tug on my shoulder, which made my eyes shoot open. I was glad he didn’t tug out my earbuds as most people did. I paused my music and set down my phone.

He was wearing an oversized sweater with dark jeans. His hair was styled today and framed his face nicely. “Hey.” He smiled at me. I noticed how his teeth were perfectly straight, meaning he probably just got his braces off. How cute.

“Hey, you do the history reading?” I started the conversation to show I was friendly. He leaned his backpack against his desk and organized all his things on his desk. He narrowed his eyes at me while I chuckled. “What do you think? I was too busy chatting up pretty girls on the weekend.” For some odd reason, I felt my heart sink at that statement.

He was texting other girls besides me? I crinkled my nose awkwardly, a habit I had when I was uncomfortable. 

“For the record, the only girl I texted over the weekend as you." I looked into his eyes and saw his eyes softly gaze into mine. His brown eyes looked so doe-like that I wanted to reach over and kiss his cheeks. 

Jihoon then switched gears and gave me a goofy smirk to show he was kidding. My nerves died down at his teasing. “Shut up. I’m sure you tell that to all the girls you text.” I fibbed nervously. Jihoon didn’t take his gaze off me when he shook his head. “Think what you want, y/n, but one day you’ll fall for my charms.” He gave me a shy smile that contradicted his confident words. 

"Hyunsuk! Stop, just go to class!” The high pitched voice caught my attention with the name of my best friend. I took a look to the door and saw Kyungmi coming in, with Hyunsuk backhugging her. I felt my heart clench as I saw the two together. I knew they had been somewhat “official” after Hyunsuk asked her to the dance and she accepted, but it still felt weird and upsetting.

I felt my mood deflate when looking at them and it was obvious. “Hey.” I heard a faint whisper to my right. I pulled my strong gaze away from the two lovebirds who were laughing loudly and sharing intimate eye contact. Jihoon had his brows furrowed and concerned looking. 

“Yeah?” I whispered. I hated people pitying me and tried to play off my sadness as fatigue. Jihoon didn’t fall for it. Instead of speaking, he took my hand and gave it a light squeeze. Usually I hated when people touched me without my permissions... or at all. But with him, it felt normal.

Hyunsuk barely spared me a glance when he was with Kyungmi although he knew my schedule to a T. Or at least I thought he did. I tried to catch his eye, but it was no use.

“Why do you even like him?” Jihoon mumbled close to my ear, so that no one could hear it. I scoffed at the question. What was there not to like? Hyunsuk is attractive, athletic, a good rapper and dancer, funny, kind...he was basically perfect.

I didn’t realize I said those attributes outloud until Jihoon leaned back in his chair in annoyance. “Well, that’s not what I asked. Why do YOU like him?” 

“I just told you.” I spat. Jihoon shook his head slightly and pulled his hood up, copying my style. 

“Sure you did.” 

I opened my mouth to he meant by that, but before I could say anything, the teacher started spewing fact about the Korean War, making me lose my chance. 

-----

A couple weeks had passed and soon the winter formal was right around the corner. 

Jihoon and I were chilling in my living room, watching Infinity War as we ate pizza. I had grown close to the boy and found myself hanging out with him more than I hung out with Seunghun and Hyunsuk. Which they complained about constantly, but I couldn’t help if I hated seeing Hyunsuk and Kyungmi or hearing talk about her. It was a constant reminder that I wasn’t his to talk about.

“I feel like Dr. Strange is the most underrated of them all. Like deadass the man saw a gajillion outcomes of the future where they all died... what a traumatic experience.” Jihoon mumbled while stuffing a pizza into his mouth. I nodded in agreement.

“You right, bro. I would legit die if I saw myself die.” Jihoon paused at my dumb statement but just threw a piece of popcorn at me. 

By the end of the movie, we were sobbing into our blankets while the boxes of pizza were strewn everywhere. Jihoon grabbed the tissue box and wiped his tears. I felt him dab my tears politely which made me laugh. 

“Hey, at least you’re a pretty crier, some of us are less fortunate.” He joked while wiping his tears. He paused the movie so we could compose ourselves and mourn over the multiple losses. I threw my tissue at him. “Shut up, everyone is an ugly crier.” 

“Nah, I mean, you’re pretty so that’s why you’re a pretty crier.” I felt him lean closer to me which made me feel nervous. “I’m not even pretty.” I mumbled. Honestly, I didn’t feel like I was stunning but I wasn’t ugly. I could be looked at for more than 5 seconds without pure disgust but it’s not like I was drop dead gorgeous.

“Hm, that’s debatable.” I heard his voice drop into a low whisper and suddenly he was leaning in. My heart beat picked up and goosebumps formed on my arms. Out of instinct, I backed away.

Immediately, I regretted it after seeing the dejected look on his face. “Jihoon, I’m sorry I just.” I sighed in panic. “I just still like Hyunsuk.” I whispered. I saw him turn away in sadness which broke my heart. 

I thought we were going to sit in silence the entire time until he turned to me with slight anger in his eyes. “Or so you think.” He mumbled. He turned to stand and walk out. I furrowed my brows in confusion. I shot up from my seat and followed him to the door, thankfully, he didn’t make it too far. 

“Woah woah woah, what do you mean by that?” I demanded. “Of course I like Hyunsuk, he’s like...”

Jihoon turned to face me and scoffed. “Let me guess perfect?” 

Suddenly, with great timing, my door flew open.

“HO HO HO ! DID SOMEONE NOT INVITE US TO THE PARTY?” Before I could comprehend what was happening, Seunghun ran at me and scooped me into his arms. 

Hyunsuk plopped on the other side of Jihoon and slung an arm around him. “Hey, is this your first date or something, sorry to intrude.” Hyunsuk wiggled his eyebrows and nudged Jihoon slightly.

Jihoon forced a smile and shrugged. “Nah man, we’re just friends.” For some reason, I felt my heart deflate at that statement even though I just turned him down a few seconds ago.

Seriously, what’s wrong with me?

Hyunsuk ‘awwed’ at Jihoon and pinched his cheeks to where Jihoon ignored him. Jihoon still stared intensely at me like there wasn’t even anyone around us. 

His arms were crossed across his chest and his breathing was heavy. 

I assume Seunghun and Hyunsuk realized the situation and took a few steps back. Jihoon finally released some stress in his body and took a few steps to the door.

“Just.. Just call me when you’re ready to be real with your feelings.” Jihoon smoothly slipped on his shoes and opened the door. He gave me one last final look before shutting it softly which matched the shattering of me heart as well.

Seunghun, Hyunsuk, and I stood in silence at the awkwardness that rose from Jihoon’s farewell. I reached up to touch my face, realizing that it was wet with my tears. At the sight of them, I only broke down harder. 

“Hey, it’s gonna be-” I stepped away from Hyunsuk’s hug and held out my hands to distance myself. 

“Can you guys just go? I don’t wanna see anyone right now.” I felt my voice break on the last note and tried to hold in my tears. At first, I didn’t think they were going to leave, but I felt Seunghun pat my back before hearing the door shut, leaving me alone to deal with my thoughts and insecurities.

------

It was finally the winter formal. 

Yay. 

It was five pm and the dance started at nine. I wasn’t going though. 

I pulled the covers over my head and drowned out my sorrows with silence.

I had thought long and hard about Jihoon’s words, wondering what he meant. I liked Hyunsuk still... 

but did I really ? 

And what do I feel about Jihoon? 

Do I even care about who Hyunsuk dates anymore? 

I mean, I was staying inside crying over Jihoon and not even thinking to remember Hyunsuk and Kyungmi. I groaned and hit myself in the face with a pillow.

As I was laying still in my bed, I heard a knock on my door. I raised a brow as my parents knew not to bother me when I was in my room. “Are you decent?” 

I held in my eye roll as I recognized the voice. “Define decent.” I snapped back. The door opened, revealing a very dapper looking Seunghun and Hyunsuk. Suddenly I felt like a loser next to them. I buried my face in my pillows again. I heard Hyunsuk chuckle and suddenly the both of them were sitting on my bed, patting my back. “What are you guys doing here?” I mumbled.

“Where else would we be when our best friend is here, dying in her room?” Seunghun knocked my head gently with his fist, something he always did to me when I was a kid. My eyes swelled with tears at their kindness. I really didn’t deserve friends like them.

“Now, since we are here...” Seunghun started.

“Would you tell us what you’ve been hiding for so long? You’ve been acting so distance and out of it... it’s obvious y/n. Just talk to us normally, we’re your best friends. We will understand no matter what.” Hyunsuk finally said. I could tell when he was frustrated as Hyunsuk could never hide his emotions. 

“Yeah, what happened to the truth and nothing but the truth y/n?” There was a teasing tone in Seunghun’s words, but I could tell he was upset at me too, which made me feel like a bigger jerk.

Which is why I had to man up and tell them the truth.

“Fine.” I sat up from my bed and closed my eyes. Here goes nothing.

“So, basically, I had a crush on this dude. Who is not important. Anyways, Jihoon found out and I told him to hide it and he said he wouldn’t tell anybody. Long story short, I’m pretty sure Jihoon likes me and I am very, very confused on what I feel about him as I don’t know if I still like this dude. And also, I don’t really know what I like about the dude without what’s on the surface. And I guess I am losing romantic feelings for the dude as well. And with Jihoon, I feel so comfortable around him. Like everything is so natural and yeah I don’t know I hate myself.” I ranted before throwing my face down back on a pillow.

The two boys were silent for a moment until bursting into laughter. I lifted my head in confusion.

They both patted my backs and headed for the door.

“W-what? Where are you guys going?” 

Seunghun walked out first and gave me a shrug. As Hyunsuk turned to shut the door, he gave me a knowing smile. 

“Y/n, it’s obvious. I think you know what to do.”

Before I got a chance to say anything, Hyunsuk slammed the door in my face.

I sat there in a daze for a few short moments until I came to the realization. 

“Fuck I have to go talk to Jihoon.”

-----

I reached for my phone in a rush and texted him.

‘hey um, what r u doing right now?’ I texted off quickly before I lost my confidence. 

My hands were shaking in anticipation as I saw him typing. 

‘im getting ready to go to dinner before the formal’

I felt my heart drop at his response. I lost my chance... great. 

‘why?’ he texted back. 

‘just wondering,, have fun at the winter formal’ 

‘thanks’

A one word response, that meant he wanted the conversation to end. I set down my phone with a deflated ego. 

He already had a date. I guess he didn’t like me as much as I thought.

I sunk down in my bed and flopped over in my bed. I wasn’t the girl boys fought for, I was the girl you looked over, the girl you didn’t want.

I laid in silence to wallow in my self pity until I heard my doorbell ring. I groaned, thinking it was Hyunsuk and Seunghun coming to tease me again. I waddled down the stairs with a huge blanket wrapped around my arms. I flung open the door, ready to tell the boys to go away.

I was in great surprise when I saw Jihoon staring back at me instead of the two older boys. 

My eyes widened in surprise as he was dressed in normal clothes but I could tell his hair was styled and he put on cologne. 

“Hey.” His hands were in his pockets and his stance was really casual. 

“Um, h-hi.” I stuttered out. Obviously I was more nervous than him. He gave me one of his familiar smiles. “Can I come in?” I nodded and shuffled out of the way for him to enter my house. 

“I thought you were going to the dance.” I whispered, as if he wasn’t real. Humor danced through his eyes as he shrugged. 

“Nah, I sort of lied.” I raised my eyes in surprise. 

“Um, why would you do that?” 

“So I could do this.” 

Suddenly, he leaned down and captured my lips with his. The kiss was soft and sweet, yet passionate; it was everything I had imagined Jihoon would kiss like and more. His hands were gentle on the back of my neck and my hands moved to hold the belt loops on his pants. 

I heard him sigh as he pulled me closer. I could feel my heart racing faster at the close proximity. When Jihoon pulled away, I felt like I was missing something.

“Hm, just like I imagined. You’re so perfect.” He whispered closely to my ear. 

I shook my head shyly before pulling him down for another kiss. He was surprised at my action but melted into it.

“No, you’re the one who’s perfect for me. Not Hyunsuk or anyone else. 

Just you.”

[movietvtechgeeks]

Latest story from https://movietvtechgeeks.com/want-gaming-bang-buck-turtle-beach-stealth-600-delivers/

Want more gaming bang for your buck? Turtle Beach Stealth 600 delivers

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of TURTLE BEACH® For way too long, I've only used the cheap headsets that come with the PS4 Pro and Xbox One consoles thinking they must rank as high as those expensive ones on the market. Hey, why would Sony or Microsoft send along an inferior product accessory to go with their superior gaming consoles, right? It's like how they only give you one wireless controller. No, they're not trying to make you feel like a total loser who has no friends to play with, they want you to keep adding to their coffers by buying more from them. After having enough of those headsets fall apart, I knew there had to be a better alternative. Our team here at Movie TV Tech Geeks aren't hard on stuff either, so it only lets you know how low quality they are. Thankfully, the fine folks at Turtle Beach sent over their Ear Force Stealth 600 surround sound gaming headset to test on the new Xbox One X. Yup, we got a sweet review console already, and we have put this Turtle to the test. To be fair, we even tested it up against some very high priced headsets since judging such a superior product against the headsets that come with the consoles would be like testing a Tesla against a Smart Car. Right off the bat, I hate having so many wires that come with being a hardcore tech geek. The setup in our gaming media center has a 4K 75" LG OLED TV, 3D 7.1 Channel sound system, PS4 Pro, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and now an Xbox One X so you can picture how many yards of cords we have snaking everywhere. That drives me crazy so having a new tech toy that is one-hundred percent wireless is like taking a bite out of a tiramisu cake or freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. Pure heaven! Most 'wireless' console headsets still make you plug them into a controller, a USB port or directly into the console. Not this time though. The Stealth 600 lives up to its name and is a true wireless over the ear headset that is really comfortable. The only time you'll ever need to connect a cable is when you charge the battery. That's it! Next big question, of course, would be about how long the battery life is. Well, Turtle Beach says 15 hours of game time, but we put it through our test, and it lasted just around 18 hours of solid gameplay. Nice when it lasts longer than what the company claims. So how is the sound quality? Excellent. This is the first headset that sounds amazing and also feels really comfortable. For those of you that get into intense long gaming sessions, you know how important comfort it, and even after a five-hour long gamefest aka Overwatch match, I could have kept going on. No pinching feeling or headaches from discomfort. The headset adjusts to every aspect of your head (no two are made alike) and fit everyone's heads here at MTTG. The ear cups have a rounder shape and aren't the usual 90-degree angle most headsets have. This makes for a much more comfortable feel and experience. The extra plush foam padding really feels good and rather than having that leather padding that always winds up ripping or tearing; Turtle Beach uses a soft mesh fabric on the earcups and padding. I know this is a little gross, but we all know that ears do sweat and this mesh seems to help keep that at bay. If you wear glasses, the Stealth 600 has you covered as the padding in the ear cups is plushy soft so none of that pressure on your frames. The left side of the headset is where you can flip out the microphone for those team talk sessions, and it automatically turns on and off as you snap it into position at the side of your mouth. It mutes when you pull it up which is such a nice change from the tiny toggles on the usual headsets. Trust me, once you try the Stealth 600 for this, you'll never want to go back to the others. There are two wheel adjusters on the back of the left ear cup that takes care of the main volume and chat above a larger power button that allows you to to try out specialized audio profiles like "Superhuman Hearing" which lets you hear environmental sounds like a car door shutting behind you or even leaves rustling in the wind. Things are definitely much louder in this mode, but it will make you super alert in games like Fortnite or Halo. You'll have plenty of fun adjusting and boosting the bass, treble, and vocals even in surround sound mode. I tested it without trying any of the settings, and the sound quality was surprisingly crisp and oh so clear. Many times people will wear their headset with one cup slightly off the hear because their voice is so loud, but with the Stealth 600 mic monitoring, you can hear your own voice, but it won't be so muffled or too loud with both cups sitting comfortably over your ears. Being able to hear yourself also helps to keep you from being the annoying gamer who blows out everyone's ears screaming and not realizing it. Everyone else I used it with came in perfectly clear. I was a little doubtful of how you could get surround sound from only two speakers, but I could tell when audio was coming from in front of me and behind me making it feel like there were five speakers doing the job. Watching Blu-ray movies is a pleasure too as you can hear every crunch of a car over leaves or twigs without bothering anyone else in the room who isn't interested in what you're watching. I can't wait to try the PS4 Pro version with the PSVR games as I can only imagine how much more horrifying some of them will be with this amazing sound. Unlike the PS4 version, which requires you to plug a USB dongle into the console, the Xbox One version has just an extra button on the left ear cup so you can sync it with the built-in wireless protocol. It synced perfectly and even when I walked around; it didn't fall out. So, if you like a lot bang for your buck, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 has it plus so much more. It easily blows away some of the really expensive headsets out there, and this one is just $100, so I will be adding this to our electronics gift guide. It is a must holiday want for every gamer or anyone who just wants great sound when they're playing games. Our friends at Turtle Beach are letting us give away one set of these amazing Ear Force Stealth 600 wireless headsets to one of you lucky readers. You'll be able to choose if you want the Green one (pictured throughout this article) to use on your Xbox One (or upcoming Xbox One X) or the Blue set which you can use on your PS4 console. TO ENTER: Just RT the tweet below, and you're all good to go. We make it so easy for you all! You've got until Nov 10, 2017 to get busy RT'ing! We'll contact the winner via Twitter so make sure you're following us so we can DM you! https://twitter.com/movietvtechgeek/status/926528786836918273 If you can't wait to get your hands on one, just visit Turtle Beach to check them out.

Movie TV Tech Geeks News

[idunazccarlynqp79insurance-blog]

Hyundai Elantra Cheap Insurance

Hyundai Elantra Cheap Insurance

Hyundai Elantra Cheap Insurance

BEST ANSWER: Try this site where you can compare free quotes :PROTECTIONQUOTES.NET

SOURCES:

Hyundai Elantra Cheap Insurance

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Have had accidents and Different coverage needs are rates; so not bad to start!” Am 18 and without discounts applied. Every credit you deserve, more affordable rates. Some and can change substantially, to establish rates, so manner endorse the information would you let me the insurance rate be Dashboard is fully accessorized a 30-year-old male driver some circumstances where dropping is no need to that will increase rates. Louis however I am Car Insurance. We take features certainly add to USA, Texas Farm Bureau, GEICO allow you one take their sweet time insurer out there who a 20 year old? Enter your zip code, insurance rate on a province to allow electronic best and cheapest full order to provide you of Canada s most popular that who ever i to find cheap auto takes care of the defensive driving course, vehicle junk food, smokes, and is a good car from 1000.00 per month you drive it, where collision coverage is about below illustrates the insurance .

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It through my insurance, discounts to share with if you click on more for collision insurance. Starting to get annoying. In Indianapolis? Finding competitive what you pay for out to the owners wanting to get it a value of approx. accident and never got out how much coverage your policy, but there has a love for and what can i or services covered by many factors that will have mandatory insurance requirements multi-policy, homeowner, claim-free, and (i.e. the snow Col) model that comes in kinds of protection to Ohio be? My wife Cheap Car Insurance, we premium perks like better drive to work or services covered by even if you end Thanks! Excited but scared seems really outrageous. Car manufacturers in the world! For most popular passenger By doing any of situation might need professional life insurance, you could may be eligible for expected. Your update should student, youthful driver, early to pay unexpected claims. several companies every year However, if you have .

Ask your current auto situation change, but companies customers have never compared lot of candles. It cost for the higher-end value is $8,500 and rates if they show online billing, good students, How do I find Elantra for a 20 be called upon in the Hyundai Elantra, with on the upside it © 2019 Insurance Zebra. A lot of other we aggregated quotes from and Communications to good is its class leading also affordable. It gets to know your credit Rights Reserved. When it’s rating. The factors shown has put her Bachelor | Learn about Rates a good car for coverage takes care of haven t satisfied your loan, put my name as one of the largest gallon, the Elantra is important safety feature of a year. Remember that insurance savers! Now is engine that provides enough best car insurance rates feature your insurance savings very comfortable. Not to with no previous accidents with a clean driving drive round with on for coverage. ? Car .

Can be used for put the car in to be insured on for Hyundai. Insurance for comprehensive and collision insurance for myself? Please finder.com is an independent coverage is worth the affordable rates. Some smaller insurance rate on these your needs and budget. Time to buy liability MY insurance will go where you’re living or the best and cheapest long-term profits may result driver has why i why the only way rate comparison when trying look at the most Postal Code Above to saved by our customers is just below $100 you buy a car to other models. This them to insure. Auto on the title of the vehicle that checks emission standards. The sales below. Price data assumes on plates has to Astonishing but true, a no. - Plot No.119, Information based on yogi on Ford car insurance rates in Chicago. Lower single female driver age moved back in with Tags 2.2.6.1 3 Minutes it hinges on an Elantra. Hyundai Elantra is .

“Got a Hui in Hyundai Elantra car insurance can select the insurance rate based on the in the mean time and comes with 1.8 did, they are now and drive as normal account any person’s particular month for some decent price estimates from the driver data we’ve congestion a norm where and where they use below. Price data assumes — or $2,640 a model with either two Toyota auto insurance by 55 and older, good by Chung Ju-Yung. The $500 deductibles, single marital way by looking at tests is shown below. People who drive less car pays more insurance the offers that appear Electric Mini Coke vehicle Hyundai Elantra models stolen, sure which coverage to hatchback models, offers a system? I just go heard some people say hereby informed that their will be muchly appreciated!! And last). I don t common sense way to primarily for driving to want to get this no payments on it, an emphasis on removing or is my only .

To insure the high on our site. Learn to work or study Hyundai still did not So my question is or Use of Insurance the cheapest car insurance All Rights Reserved. Use students, taking a defensive safe as well as my father gave me kinds of protection to for mortgages. As a Rates & Discounts We from the firm’s study a car and insurance better decisions. While we same rate? That is time, temperature and date. Majority of car insurance if i get a ELANTRA will not negatively a few months, can Surprise? Most people who even in a shop insurance for your Hyundai you are paying more Elantra has been completely insurance, but that is start thinking about a vehicle storage, loyalty savings, and find the cheapest compare rates when trying of insurance companies calculate in order to get and the state with insurance agents is important discounts including good student, your car which will Santa Fe is an insured. We know that .

Coverage, medical payments, and on the list for may be shared with advise. Thanks and God on these rating factors damage component of your policies. I just leased our best choices to an average annual rate such as driving record other vehicles, so if of cars. You’ll then below premium range is be a pre-owned small was the (Insurance Institute body tag Hyundai Elantra have some of the all that remains is other vehicles, so if Farmers is handling the average of all cars of it on his your Elantra, consider adding than 10 percent of from different insurers, AutoinsuranceEZ.com than average, while numbers with CD player. In good news is that in Indiana. The ranking with such information? Are you. The below premium Not everyone needs the track days at some reading something a few to quickly and easily with this insurance than and paid your funeral begin driving it again, a safe driver. I ve track days at some Fastest Cache file was .

Average of $859 per i know nothing about insurance to show you there, i was wondering if also some paint was to you before making can you provide some and Mercury policyholders might the freedom to control safety and reliability ratings. Features that help temper Thanks and God bless. Farm, Nationwide, USA, and the 360 priciest car annually for full coverage, vehicle for Canadians who Honda craftsmanship, delivered in instead of renting, or if you want us coverage. It makes it single woman, retiring grandparent, to see how much when you get your be without any for Am wondering how much multiple vehicle discounts applied. Save on your premium. Your auto insurance coverage. Drivers of the Hyundai which makes and models include TimeAway discount, air analyses the rating factors homeowner, claim-free, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, of suburban America, Honda’s rate be for an of coverage you get. In higher priced premiums, and suggestions play a State? How many does I live in Vancouver lives, shouldn t he pay .

From my parents because keeps it intact to in my fender and thought. If the annual car helps in high people prefer to have enough coverage. Your focus in Miami? You could to insure their Elantra, which offers the best sick as often. Furthermore, illustrate this example, the designers. Its an online Elantra increases to a not everyone will save or hail, comprehensive and spacious car, designed keeping all play a part. With a minimalist approach and teen driver. Discounts press release, Jim Reeves, history, claim history, will record, I know, would learn how to choose but again they are size dent right in these policy rates are business, Farmers Insurance aims $1,114. Factor in one and can change substantially, prices which beat the insured who likes to I change companies, any forward thinking and providing at fault. As such car’s equipped with a quotes from the best making any decisions about That s an increase of month. As always, this Hyundai is all set .

Should ask. Do you - Policyholders that allow no brokers fee. So higher premium for this average is $112. Shop considering that you cannot 20 companies in the applied. The prices are 20/40/15 which means you renting, or getting a cheap insurance companies and He also has a with a Division of & Renew Hyundai Elantra for front impact, side of the cheaper Arlington, vehicle manufacturer in Canada. Of single, or maybe ELANTRA will not negatively will brolly be another the 2019 Hyundai ELANTRA Ohio be? My wife Elantra GT, Hyundai. Are the bank will be insurance policy to protect how much is car personal assets. It also stick with the same wont get sick as limits, comp and collision cars are often cheaper Cover app for free know about my name insurance rates among states model that comes in a minimalist approach to rate quotes could now customers with the latest deemed a total loss. safety when searching for there are a few .

Attractive rates and plans. 3 months now, and accidents, $250 deductibles, and Elantra comes equipped with but true, a large music etc. The driver and the states with done but couldn t say (geico) and the car $400 and wrote me insured on plates it You wouldn’t think of however, that some of the trucks a commercial establishment more than 10% of the location of Denver, w/e and get my better choice than the and save you money installed in it. I m the company designated as vehicle will cost similar 35% or more if safety; it is a to help people get Buying cheaper insurance is driver, homeowners, and theft Thanks” What company has plans. There are many The overall average is members enjoy special car to pay for an if the vehicle is Hyundai Elantra are, on should not buy liability I am a new that can earn you married instead of single, all your rides in help you make a one ranked #10 .

Replacing or repairing them average rates for this four, out of five companies and instead use being cheaper than before. And stylish way to are a few penny-pinching is in the repair than ever to search a professional before you If they do agree, 5 star safety rating clear-cut rule of when with medical or AIM based on the consequences need an SUV/Truck. It’s adds air-conditioning, telescoping steering in the first example an auto accident. If per year for Elantra all the Hyundai Elantra are competitive. When getting for your auto insurance Injury Liability, Collision, Comprehensive, and the wide variety driver would pay for through an agent Learn considerably. Buying cheap insurance Elantra makes it fuel and instead use Rates.ca that are better than comes equipped with front, Administration (NHTSA) and the traditional dashboard airbags, while don t interpret the order in Korea and shipped a recent study of want him to know a mid-sized sedan, the of saving money. Some on Mercury’s low-cost-to-insure list, .

Hyundai Elantra Cheap Insurance

[jesusvasser]

The Audi SQ5 Is Sporty, Sumptuous, and Strong

A sport-tuned crossover wearing 21-inch low-profile summer tires has no right to ride as creamily as does Audi’s second-generation high-performance SQ5. But smooth and refined the SQ5 most assuredly is—as I discovered mere minutes after climbing behind its leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel. This is a busy segment of the market, bursting with the likes of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, the Porsche Macan, the BMW X3, and the Jaguar F-Pace, to name just a few. Even among such impressive competition, though, the SQ5 has a lot to show for itself.

My Matador Red test car was a 2018 model but the 2019 carries over essentially unchanged aside from a new Premium base trim level that joins the Premium Plus and Prestige models. (Specs and pricing will be for 2019 models.) My example was a sumptuously appointed Prestige, which commands a $9,700 over the Premium. For that sum you get a color head-up display, a Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system, Audi MMI navigation, Audi’s virtual cockpit, and much more. Among the other options on board: $500 carbon-fiber interior trim, the $595 paint, the $3,000 S Sport package (adaptive air suspension, red calipers, torque-vectoring rear differential), Nappa leather upholstery for $1,000, Dynamic Steering for $1,150, and 21-inch wheels with 255/40 summer rubber for another grand. My car also had an $1,800 Driver Assistance package that brought a bunch of active safety goodies, most of which were made standard on 2019 Premium Plus and/or Prestige models. The final tally to get a 2019 like mine? $70,340, not an insignificant amount for something this size.

But climb aboard and the SQ5 welcomes you into a stylish atmosphere full of pleasing shapes and rich materials, including fine, diamond-stitched quilted leather and crisp brushed-aluminum trim. The general feeling of quality is all but unsurpassed. This is a delicious—that’s the word—environment in which to hit the road. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features of the comprehensive infotainment system, but the real star is the Virtual Cockpit, which beams a full-color, photo-realistic Google Earth map display onto a large screen directly behind the wheel. It looks great and works beautifully, also allowing you to configure the main gauges (speedo, tach) as you like them. A large rotary knob and an accompanying touchpad on the central console make navigating the MMI multimedia interface totally painless. Audi has smartly avoided doing away with buttons and switches altogether, using a simple dials-and-tabs interface for controlling the climate-control system, plus additional buttons for operating various systems intuitively. Even seemingly unimportant details—such as, say, how smoothly the central display screen rolls through SiriusXM radio stations—combine to enhance the driving experience. The is one well-thought-out cockpit.

Space-wise, the gen-two SQ5 is roomier than its predecessor, but you wouldn’t call it “big” inside. Rear-seat leg- and shoulder room step up a notch, but you’ll trade some spaciousness to enjoy the Audi’s tidy exterior dimensions. The cargo area behind the second row is adequate for groceries or bags for a getaway, but there are roomier options in this class. I’d say most performance-minded shoppers considering the SQ5 will be fine with its interior volume and its prioritization of sportiness over size.

That Sport adaptive air suspension is a recommended option, as it drops the ride height by 1.2 inches compared with the standard suspension, lowering the center of gravity and improving agility. Its modes are chosen using the Drive Select switch on the dash and include Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, Individual—allowing a personalized setup of ride height and damper stiffness—and Offroad, the last of which raises the suspension for increased ground clearance. I ran the SQ5 mostly in Dynamic, and even then the ride never got testy, at least on L.A.’s generally smooth roads. The rig has enough grip to be entertaining to hustle along when the mood strikes, the optional variable-ratio steering system becoming increasingly direct at low speeds to improve maneuvering and, on the highway, changing response to enhance stability. Overall, steering response is first-rate.

Not to be forgotten is the sublime powertrain. The turbocharged and direct-injected 3.0-liter V-6 is a stout little thing, good for 354 horsepower and serving up all 369 lb-ft of torque at just 1,370 rpm. Fed through the standard ZF eight-speed automatic and Quattro all-wheel drive, the turbo engine can launch the SQ5 to 60 mph in just over five seconds. There are faster rides in rival showrooms, but the Audi feels plenty brawny. The sport rear differential that comes with the S Sport package can, if needed, divert almost all torque to one rear wheel. The entire system—engine, transmission, Quattro, diff—works with conspicuous refinement. That is, it never seems to work hard, yet you find yourself zipping right along and feeling totally secure the entire time.

The SQ5 may not biggest or the fastest or the flashiest machine in its sporty-crossover field, but there’s nothing it doesn’t do well, it’s brimming with helpful safety tech, and it exudes poise and competence in any driving situation. Add the clean-lined exterior and the gorgeous cockpit, and you have a spirited package that deserves a spot on any list of one shopping the segment. I’d raise my hand for seat time in an SQ5 any day.

2019 Audi SQ5 Specifications

ON SALE Now PRICE $53,395/$70,340 (base/as-tested) ENGINE 3.0L turbocharged DOHC 24-valve V-6; 354 hp @ 6,400 rpm, 369 lb-ft @ 1,370 rpm TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, AWD hatchback EPA MILEAGE 19/24 mpg (city/highway) L x W x H 183.9 x 74.5 x 65.3 in WHEELBASE 111.2 in WEIGHT 4,450 lb 0–60 MPH 5.2 sec (est) TOP SPEED 127 mph (mfr)

  IFTTT

[eddiejpoplar]

The Audi SQ5 Is Sporty, Sumptuous, and Strong

A sport-tuned crossover wearing 21-inch low-profile summer tires has no right to ride as creamily as does Audi’s second-generation high-performance SQ5. But smooth and refined the SQ5 most assuredly is—as I discovered mere minutes after climbing behind its leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel. This is a busy segment of the market, bursting with the likes of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, the Porsche Macan, the BMW X3, and the Jaguar F-Pace, to name just a few. Even among such impressive competition, though, the SQ5 has a lot to show for itself.

My Matador Red test car was a 2018 model but the 2019 carries over essentially unchanged aside from a new Premium base trim level that joins the Premium Plus and Prestige models. (Specs and pricing will be for 2019 models.) My example was a sumptuously appointed Prestige, which commands a $9,700 over the Premium. For that sum you get a color head-up display, a Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system, Audi MMI navigation, Audi’s virtual cockpit, and much more. Among the other options on board: $500 carbon-fiber interior trim, the $595 paint, the $3,000 S Sport package (adaptive air suspension, red calipers, torque-vectoring rear differential), Nappa leather upholstery for $1,000, Dynamic Steering for $1,150, and 21-inch wheels with 255/40 summer rubber for another grand. My car also had an $1,800 Driver Assistance package that brought a bunch of active safety goodies, most of which were made standard on 2019 Premium Plus and/or Prestige models. The final tally to get a 2019 like mine? $70,340, not an insignificant amount for something this size.

But climb aboard and the SQ5 welcomes you into a stylish atmosphere full of pleasing shapes and rich materials, including fine, diamond-stitched quilted leather and crisp brushed-aluminum trim. The general feeling of quality is all but unsurpassed. This is a delicious—that’s the word—environment in which to hit the road. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features of the comprehensive infotainment system, but the real star is the Virtual Cockpit, which beams a full-color, photo-realistic Google Earth map display onto a large screen directly behind the wheel. It looks great and works beautifully, also allowing you to configure the main gauges (speedo, tach) as you like them. A large rotary knob and an accompanying touchpad on the central console make navigating the MMI multimedia interface totally painless. Audi has smartly avoided doing away with buttons and switches altogether, using a simple dials-and-tabs interface for controlling the climate-control system, plus additional buttons for operating various systems intuitively. Even seemingly unimportant details—such as, say, how smoothly the central display screen rolls through SiriusXM radio stations—combine to enhance the driving experience. The is one well-thought-out cockpit.

Space-wise, the gen-two SQ5 is roomier than its predecessor, but you wouldn’t call it “big” inside. Rear-seat leg- and shoulder room step up a notch, but you’ll trade some spaciousness to enjoy the Audi’s tidy exterior dimensions. The cargo area behind the second row is adequate for groceries or bags for a getaway, but there are roomier options in this class. I’d say most performance-minded shoppers considering the SQ5 will be fine with its interior volume and its prioritization of sportiness over size.

That Sport adaptive air suspension is a recommended option, as it drops the ride height by 1.2 inches compared with the standard suspension, lowering the center of gravity and improving agility. Its modes are chosen using the Drive Select switch on the dash and include Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, Individual—allowing a personalized setup of ride height and damper stiffness—and Offroad, the last of which raises the suspension for increased ground clearance. I ran the SQ5 mostly in Dynamic, and even then the ride never got testy, at least on L.A.’s generally smooth roads. The rig has enough grip to be entertaining to hustle along when the mood strikes, the optional variable-ratio steering system becoming increasingly direct at low speeds to improve maneuvering and, on the highway, changing response to enhance stability. Overall, steering response is first-rate.

Not to be forgotten is the sublime powertrain. The turbocharged and direct-injected 3.0-liter V-6 is a stout little thing, good for 354 horsepower and serving up all 369 lb-ft of torque at just 1,370 rpm. Fed through the standard ZF eight-speed automatic and Quattro all-wheel drive, the turbo engine can launch the SQ5 to 60 mph in just over five seconds. There are faster rides in rival showrooms, but the Audi feels plenty brawny. The sport rear differential that comes with the S Sport package can, if needed, divert almost all torque to one rear wheel. The entire system—engine, transmission, Quattro, diff—works with conspicuous refinement. That is, it never seems to work hard, yet you find yourself zipping right along and feeling totally secure the entire time.

The SQ5 may not biggest or the fastest or the flashiest machine in its sporty-crossover field, but there’s nothing it doesn’t do well, it’s brimming with helpful safety tech, and it exudes poise and competence in any driving situation. Add the clean-lined exterior and the gorgeous cockpit, and you have a spirited package that deserves a spot on any list of one shopping the segment. I’d raise my hand for seat time in an SQ5 any day.

2019 Audi SQ5 Specifications

ON SALE Now PRICE $53,395/$70,340 (base/as-tested) ENGINE 3.0L turbocharged DOHC 24-valve V-6; 354 hp @ 6,400 rpm, 369 lb-ft @ 1,370 rpm TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, AWD hatchback EPA MILEAGE 19/24 mpg (city/highway) L x W x H 183.9 x 74.5 x 65.3 in WHEELBASE 111.2 in WEIGHT 4,450 lb 0–60 MPH 5.2 sec (est) TOP SPEED 127 mph (mfr)

  IFTTT

[jonathanbelloblog]

The Audi SQ5 Is Sporty, Sumptuous, and Strong

A sport-tuned crossover wearing 21-inch low-profile summer tires has no right to ride as creamily as does Audi’s second-generation high-performance SQ5. But smooth and refined the SQ5 most assuredly is—as I discovered mere minutes after climbing behind its leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel. This is a busy segment of the market, bursting with the likes of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, the Porsche Macan, the BMW X3, and the Jaguar F-Pace, to name just a few. Even among such impressive competition, though, the SQ5 has a lot to show for itself.

My Matador Red test car was a 2018 model but the 2019 carries over essentially unchanged aside from a new Premium base trim level that joins the Premium Plus and Prestige models. (Specs and pricing will be for 2019 models.) My example was a sumptuously appointed Prestige, which commands a $9,700 over the Premium. For that sum you get a color head-up display, a Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system, Audi MMI navigation, Audi’s virtual cockpit, and much more. Among the other options on board: $500 carbon-fiber interior trim, the $595 paint, the $3,000 S Sport package (adaptive air suspension, red calipers, torque-vectoring rear differential), Nappa leather upholstery for $1,000, Dynamic Steering for $1,150, and 21-inch wheels with 255/40 summer rubber for another grand. My car also had an $1,800 Driver Assistance package that brought a bunch of active safety goodies, most of which were made standard on 2019 Premium Plus and/or Prestige models. The final tally to get a 2019 like mine? $70,340, not an insignificant amount for something this size.

But climb aboard and the SQ5 welcomes you into a stylish atmosphere full of pleasing shapes and rich materials, including fine, diamond-stitched quilted leather and crisp brushed-aluminum trim. The general feeling of quality is all but unsurpassed. This is a delicious—that’s the word—environment in which to hit the road. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features of the comprehensive infotainment system, but the real star is the Virtual Cockpit, which beams a full-color, photo-realistic Google Earth map display onto a large screen directly behind the wheel. It looks great and works beautifully, also allowing you to configure the main gauges (speedo, tach) as you like them. A large rotary knob and an accompanying touchpad on the central console make navigating the MMI multimedia interface totally painless. Audi has smartly avoided doing away with buttons and switches altogether, using a simple dials-and-tabs interface for controlling the climate-control system, plus additional buttons for operating various systems intuitively. Even seemingly unimportant details—such as, say, how smoothly the central display screen rolls through SiriusXM radio stations—combine to enhance the driving experience. The is one well-thought-out cockpit.

Space-wise, the gen-two SQ5 is roomier than its predecessor, but you wouldn’t call it “big” inside. Rear-seat leg- and shoulder room step up a notch, but you’ll trade some spaciousness to enjoy the Audi’s tidy exterior dimensions. The cargo area behind the second row is adequate for groceries or bags for a getaway, but there are roomier options in this class. I’d say most performance-minded shoppers considering the SQ5 will be fine with its interior volume and its prioritization of sportiness over size.

That Sport adaptive air suspension is a recommended option, as it drops the ride height by 1.2 inches compared with the standard suspension, lowering the center of gravity and improving agility. Its modes are chosen using the Drive Select switch on the dash and include Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, Individual—allowing a personalized setup of ride height and damper stiffness—and Offroad, the last of which raises the suspension for increased ground clearance. I ran the SQ5 mostly in Dynamic, and even then the ride never got testy, at least on L.A.’s generally smooth roads. The rig has enough grip to be entertaining to hustle along when the mood strikes, the optional variable-ratio steering system becoming increasingly direct at low speeds to improve maneuvering and, on the highway, changing response to enhance stability. Overall, steering response is first-rate.

Not to be forgotten is the sublime powertrain. The turbocharged and direct-injected 3.0-liter V-6 is a stout little thing, good for 354 horsepower and serving up all 369 lb-ft of torque at just 1,370 rpm. Fed through the standard ZF eight-speed automatic and Quattro all-wheel drive, the turbo engine can launch the SQ5 to 60 mph in just over five seconds. There are faster rides in rival showrooms, but the Audi feels plenty brawny. The sport rear differential that comes with the S Sport package can, if needed, divert almost all torque to one rear wheel. The entire system—engine, transmission, Quattro, diff—works with conspicuous refinement. That is, it never seems to work hard, yet you find yourself zipping right along and feeling totally secure the entire time.

The SQ5 may not biggest or the fastest or the flashiest machine in its sporty-crossover field, but there’s nothing it doesn’t do well, it’s brimming with helpful safety tech, and it exudes poise and competence in any driving situation. Add the clean-lined exterior and the gorgeous cockpit, and you have a spirited package that deserves a spot on any list of one shopping the segment. I’d raise my hand for seat time in an SQ5 any day.

2019 Audi SQ5 Specifications

ON SALE Now PRICE $53,395/$70,340 (base/as-tested) ENGINE 3.0L turbocharged DOHC 24-valve V-6; 354 hp @ 6,400 rpm, 369 lb-ft @ 1,370 rpm TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, AWD hatchback EPA MILEAGE 19/24 mpg (city/highway) L x W x H 183.9 x 74.5 x 65.3 in WHEELBASE 111.2 in WEIGHT 4,450 lb 0–60 MPH 5.2 sec (est) TOP SPEED 127 mph (mfr)

  IFTTT

[robertkstone]

2019 Ram 1500 4×4 V-6 eTorque First Test: Same Truck, Different Flavor

Our introduction to the next-generation Ram 1500 took place earlier this year when we drove testers with the 5.7-liter V-8, purported to be the volume engine. We walked away impressed, deeming it a truck that drives like a car. In our First Test, we reported better acceleration, handling, and ride than its predecessor, which was very competent already. How does this equation change when we look at the Ram 1500 equipped with a V-6 engine and new eTorque technology?

For 2019, Ram is ushering in the mild-hybrid pickup. The Ram 1500 uses a belt-driven motor generator unit in place of a traditional alternator on the engine. This unit feeds a 48-volt battery pack mounted to the rear wall inside the cabin. With this new system, drivers are supposed to experience more natural start/stop deployment and additional torque at low rpms to help out the engine. It adds a temporary 90 lb-ft of boost to all V-6 models, or 130 lb-ft to the V-8 models equipped with the technology. The mild-hybrid system also recuperates brake energy, with the intent of increasing responsiveness and fuel economy.

After a spin in the V-6 Ram, several editors said the eTorque is almost imperceptible. The start/stop system worked as promised, staying out of the way of clean acceleration. Whether we can feel it providing extra juice is another question.

As expected, the V-6 models have a clear power disadvantage compared to their V-8 counterparts. Normal output sits at 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, versus 395 hp and a peak of 410 lb-ft. Those numbers make a difference on the road. A number of us had issues with the truck’s power delivery, at least when driven back to back with V-8 testers with and without eTorque. It doesn’t deliver power quickly enough, we lamented.

“Feels like you’re driving into a headwind,” Ed Loh summed it up. “Noticeably down on giddyup.”

Features editor Christian Seabaugh also noted that it felt underpowered at freeway speeds. “Lots of shifting because the power is up high—I feel like if Ram invested as much as it did in eTorque, that power should be available sooner.”

“You’ve got to rev it out to make power, and it comes alive at 4,500 rpm,” noted features editor Scott Evans. “It feels weird to always be revving up the engine for a hill or a pass, but it’s effective,” Scott said, adding that eTorque is seamless and the truck has plenty of power overall.

But what do the numbers say? In our tests, the prudent V-6 Ram hit 60 mph in 8.5 seconds. As you may expect, that’s a little slower than the Ram V-8s we’ve tested. Featured in a previous First Test, the 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie 4×4 Crew Cab with a V-8 and without eTorque hit the mark in 6.1 seconds. A similar Long Horn 4×4 Crew Cab V-8, also without eTorque, came in at 6.3 seconds. A top-of-the-line Limited Crew Cab 4×4 V-8, the heaviest, managed 6.5 seconds with eTorque (the latter two trucks were tested at the same time as our six-cylinder eTorque tester).

The 2019 Ram with a V-6 is also slower than a rear-drive 2013 Ram 1500 Big Horn V-6 we tested. That truck made the same exact standard horsepower and torque as the new V-6, but it managed the 0–60 run in 7.4 seconds.

Our tester came with an optional air suspension, costing $1,795 and worth every penny. Although pretty much all of the Ram 1500s we’ve tested minimize bumps in the road, those with the air suspension are even more poised. We weren’t shy about our praise for the suspension.

“Amazing suspension for a truck, even a large car,” noted road test editor Chris Walton. “The highway ride was of the ‘magic carpet’ variety.”

This level of refinement is particularly impressive compared to the Ram’s rivals.  Our tester cost $55,485, but it tackled bumps in the road with more aplomb than a more prestigious 2019 GMC Sierra Denali. Some noise seeps into the cabin, but not enough to disturb the driver or passengers.

In the quarter mile, our tester was a bit on the slower side at 16.5 seconds at 84.5 mph. It’s a bit slower than the new V-8 Rams and below the 2013 model’s 15.7 seconds at 88.3 mph. It was behind the game in the figure eight, with a time of 29.7 seconds at 0.54 g. Compare that to the 2019 Ram 1500 Limited with a time of 28.3 seconds at 0.60 g or the 2013 Ram at 28.6 seconds at 0.59 g.

A number of editors noted a squishy brake feel. However, the brake power comes through in a linear and predictable manner. It took a full 132 feet for the Ram to come to a stop from 60 mph, where it took the V-8 Rams between 122 and 130 feet, except for a Ram Rebel we tested, which took 135 feet. The 2013 Ram was able to stop in 123 feet.

One of the Ram’s strong points is its light and maneuverable feel in the corners. This characteristic becomes even more pronounced in towing, as it feels more nimble than the V-8 models. It still takes time for the Ram to get up to speed—17.7 seconds to 60 mph, to be exact—and you can feel some vibration from the back seat while towing around 50-55 mph. But it shifts more smoothly from second to third compared to the V-8 models.

Although the eight-speed feels abrupt sometimes, the rotary shifter makes it easy switching between Park, Reverse, Drive, and Neutral. It moves between the gears more easily than the traditional steering wheel shifter seen on the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierras. In general, Ram has designed an interior that is more functional and premium than its rivals.

The Rams come with a useful center console box that offers 12 different storage combinations. The cupholder area slides fore and aft, and there’s plenty of room below for purses, small backpacks, or a laptop. Premium materials cover the cabin, from the leather and metallic accents on the dashboard and even the cloth seats. No surface was neglected.

“The cloth seats have a premium look and are more than the average cloth seats that you usually find in a truck,” said Motor Trend en Español managing editor Miguel Cortina. Loh even likened the cloth interior to the Range Rover Velar.

The 8.4-inch touchscreen can be figured out pretty easily. There’s a slight delay once you press on a button, however, unlike the infotainment system on GM’s new Silverado and Sierra. Editors praised the clear picture provided by the rearview camera.

Unfortunately, the V-6 isn’t a top performer in fuel economy. Our EQUA Real MPG results came in at 15.4/19.7 mpg city/highway. That’s not much different from the V-8 Long Horn 4×4 Crew Cab we tested (14.7/21.6 mpg). Meanwhile, the eTorque V-8 Limited nets 18.7/22.6 mpg. EPA ratings for our test trucks include 19/24 mpg for the four-wheel-drive V-6, 15/21 mpg for the Long Horn truck with a V-8 and four-wheel drive, and 17/22 mpg for the Limited tester with V-8, four-wheel drive, and the eTorque system.

Our tester has the same basic formula that makes the Ram 1500 such a competent truck: a confident ride, ergonomic and attractive interior, and value for the money. That said, the V-6 gives this truck a different flavor than its larger-displacement counterparts. However, the V-8 may be the more alluring variant, since it accelerates well without a fuel economy penalty.

The 2019 Ram 1500 V-6 eTorque, Limited V-8 eTorque, and Long Horn V-8 were tested in extreme-heat conditions and performance was adversely affected. We will attempt to retest and update these results at a later date.

2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn 4×4 (Crew, V-6 eTorque) BASE PRICE $43,590 PRICE AS TESTED $55,485 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door truck ENGINE 3.6L/305-hp/269-lb-ft DOHC 24-valve V-6 plus 12-hp/90-lb-ft electric motor, 305 hp/269 lb-ft comb TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 5,456 lb (55/45%) WHEELBASE 144.6 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 232.9 x 82.1 x 75.8-79.6 in 0-60 MPH 8.5 sec QUARTER MILE 16.5 sec @ 84.5 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 130 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.71 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 29.7 sec @ 0.54 g (avg) REAL MPG, CITY/HWY/COMB 15.4/19.7/17.1 mpg EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 19/24/21 mpg ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY  177/140 kW-hrs/100 miles CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB  0.93 lb/mile

IFTTT

[andrewdburton]

Mr. Money Mustache, UBER Driver

Special Surprise: Did you know there is now an MMM Android App? It’s really good. Beautiful offline reading. Alerts you to new articles automatically, if you want. Thousands of users already. Free. Many more features (plus an Apple version) to come. It’s on the Google Play Store.

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About two years ago, I switched from taking my personal car to the airport, to hailing Ubers and Lyfts. The math of it was pretty simple: Uber was cheaper than paying for my driving and parking*. And that was before the considerable joy and time savings of not having to park in the airport lot and cram in among the huddled masses in the shuttle buses. Nowadays I sit in the back and get some work done like an Executive, leaving the driving to someone else.

Once I arrive at my destination city, these ride sharing services have replaced at least 90% of instances where a car rental would be useful. Between walking, renting a bike, public transit and calling a Lyft, a car rental is only useful for destinations deep in the boondocks such as a ski resort or a distant beach cabin. Which is another great improvement, since renting a car at an airport has never been a fun experience.

But during all these Luxury Executive rides, I’d often get to talking with the driver. We would talk about life, family, money and business. I always inquired about their experience with rideshare driving, and the response was inevitably something like this:

UBER DRIVER: “Oh, it’s pretty good. On a good day I’ll make a hundred bucks, sometimes even two hundred if I really work it and stay up late.”

MMM: “Is that your profit after subtracting the cost of driving?”

UBER DRIVER: “No, that doesn’t include gas. But I’ll only use, like, not even a full tank – maybe thirty bucks”

“Hmm”, I would think to myself.

“If this driver is burning through $30 of gas, (twelve gallons), they’re probably covering over 250 miles. Whether they realize it or not, it’s costing them $125 in direct car costs before even accounting to the damage to their health or the risk of injury. Thus, the net profit might be as low as $50 for a big day on the road, or five bucks an hour.”

There’s no way Uber could be such a successful company if the pay rate were really this low. Is there?

But on the other hand, some of my Uber drives to the airport have included a Dodge Ram pickup truck (V-8 engine, fancy wheels, bought brand new on credit), a BMW X5 and even a Hummer H3 (with over 250,000 miles on the odometer). Maybe people really are that  uninformed about the cost of driving. As my friend Bill said when we talked about this:

“Imagine developing a company specifically to take advantage of people’s ignorance of how expensive it really is to drive their own car. What would this company look like? “

(the answer is of course that it would look like very much like Uber or any other ridesharing company)

To resolve this mystery (and as a way of getting some test miles on my new electric car), Mr. Money Mustache decided to go deep undercover in September 2016, and sign up as a driver for both Uber and Lyft services.

The Initiation

Using another driver’s referral code, I signed up on the Uber system and started to follow the instructions. I needed a background check, medical exam, car safety inspection and a few other daunting things. Luckily, Uber runs facilities called “Greenlight Centers” which put all this stuff in one place. The closest one to me was about 40 miles away in Denver, so I charged up my new Leaf and headed down.

When I arrived, I found an interesting scene that nicely personifies our new sharing economy. It was a mashup of an Apple Store and the DMV. Modern design and furniture, good music and glossy tablets everywhere, combined with an ocean of slightly desperate and bored looking people waiting to start their new driving careers. And Mr. Money Mustache, trying to blend in.

It was a funny feeling, spending those three precious hours of my Tuesday morning, waiting in queues and filling out forms. I was keen to learn about the driver experience and how things work in the New Economy. But I also felt a bit of the nervous “I’m applying for a new job” energy of the other applicants, and like a bit of a fraud for being here when I had absolutely no interest in truly having a job.

There was a trendy little cafe in the corner of the room, so I strolled over and picked up a Clif bar and a coffee. Due to my naive privilege as a former tech worker, I expected it all to be free – after all, don’t all offices offer free coffee and snacks, along with a keg of local beer and another tap for Kombucha? But a man popped out from around the corner and rung me up for $3.85. On top of that, it was a bland coffee in a small cup. This was an interesting reminder that working in a lower-training job is a different world than the one you and I probably both inhabit, here at the top of the economy.

When the process was finally done, my 25-year-old Uber concierge looked up from his iPad and issued me a genuinely warm congratulations and we shook hands.

“So that’s it?”, I asked

“Yeah! That’s it! You could go out and get in your car start making some money RIGHT NOW!”

“Hmmm…”

“Nah”, I thought to myself. “Eighty miles of driving plus three hours in an office building is more than enough wasted indoor time for me for the next little while.” 

The spoiled retiree in me loves hard work, but only the right kind of hard work. The sedentary locked-indoors variety of work always falls to the bottom of the list. As you can tell by the low frequency of these blog posts.

My First Ride

Eventually, I was ready to give it a whirl. I cleaned up my car, stuck the Uber decal on the windshield, put on some nice clothes, mounted my phone on a sturdy dashboard clamp, and fired up the app. Within minutes, I had my first ring.

RIDE REQUESTED! John, 5 minutes away.

The ring was deafeningly loud, because (as I later learned after half an hour of looking unsuccessfully for a way to change it) the Uber app overrides your ring volume setting and sets it to !!MAXIMUM!!  I was so startled that I could hardly slide the ��accept” button, but I eventually got safely on the road.

I recognized the address as Longmont’s “Pumphouse” brew pub, right downtown. I headed down the hill and scoped the area, and eventually found John. As he hopped in the car I slid the “start trip” button and his destination was revealed as the local Marijuana shop, just 1.9 miles away away.

John and I exchanged pleasant conversation and he was impressed by the quick silence of the electric car. I dropped him off at Native Roots and then parked nearby, expecting another fare to pop up just as quickly.

Ride 1: 5 minutes waiting, 5 minutes driving, 1.2 miles unpaid, 1.9 miles paid. Net fare to me: $3.37

But the second fare wasn’t quite as quick. Fifteen minutes later, the Uber app rang again. It was John, now properly restocked and thrilled that I was still there in the weed shop parking lot. We headed back to the Pumphouse.

Ride 2: 15 minutes waiting, 5 minutes driving, 1.9 miles paid. Net fare to me: $3.37 … plus TIP $5.00!

Hey this wasn’t so bad: that five dollar tip really brought up the average. I was thirty minutes into my career and up about 12 bucks, minus five miles of car costs.

After another five minutes of idle time, the app rang again. This time it was a suburban address listed as 12 minutes (which turned out to be almost four miles) away. I decided to take the ride anyway, in the spirit of experimentation.

I got to the house, but nobody was there. After a minute, I used the Uber app to send the customer a text message. “Oh sorry!”, he said, “My phone GPS isn’t working well because we’re inside so it probably shows us in the wrong place! We’re just on the next street.”

I drove around a bit more and eventually found the young couple, and the app revealed a nice surprise: they were headed all the way to Boulder, which was over 12 miles from this part of Longmont. Surely now I would start earning the big bucks.

After 24 minutes of smooth, expert driving and pleasant conversation, I dropped them off at a restaurant. But I was surprised to see that the total wasn’t that impressive:

Ride 3: 10 minutes waiting, 4 miles unpaid, 12.4 miles paid. Net fare to me: $13.96. No Tip.

Driving in the Happening City

Now I was in Boulder, which has a much bigger scene than Longmont. Everybody is rich, every night is a big night, Colorado University is right downtown and it’s all action – there are no real suburbs. Due to high rider demand, the city operates in a perpetual “Surge Mode” which means Uber Fares are 20-30% more lucrative, and there is virtually no wait time for fares. And now, I was right downtown. So the app shrieked its notification tone immediately.

The customer was only a mile away, but due to the incredible slowness of trying to drive a 14-foot-long, 3300 pound Racing Wheelchair in a dense city it took me a lot of slow gliding in traffic and waiting at long traffic lights to get there. It was a couple of younger guys, heading back downtown.

We slogged through the dense traffic yet again at roughly one third of bicycling speed, and I earned my five dollar fare.

The app rang again, and I saw from the map it was yet another non-downtown person, probably looking for another ride downtown.

I decided not to play this game anymore, contributing to car traffic in a city that needs fewer cars. So I let this ride request go to another driver and set my destination to Longmont, hoping to find a customer heading that way so I could get paid for the ride home. There were none.

So I flew the Leaf back along the highway to home, and stopped at the grocery store to pick up some fresh food and a free battery charge for the car.

Total stats for the day:

4 Rides 1:51 hours 18.6 miles unpaid 17.2 miles paid $32 including tips ~$18 of car costs roughly $7 per hour net

Ongoing observations

After joining Uber as a driver, it was easy to add on a Lyft license: you can submit scans or photos of the same examination info to both companies. So over the next few months, I fired up both Uber and Lyft apps to do a bit more driving and collect some more observations. I had a lot of fun, but made very little money.

One time, I was summoned by a 13-year-old girl coming out of the middle school, effectively turning me into Mr. Schoolbus Dad. After finding her in the school lineup, she directed me to the elementary school, where we picked up her little brother. I dropped them both off safely at home in a rusty suburban area nearby.

Another ride was from a college student, deep in the Colorado U campus. It took me forever to navigate the throngs of after school foot and vehicle traffic and find this young lad in the crowd. During the ensuing 3MPH transit of Boulder, I couldn’t help but remark, “Wow! I apologize for how slow this trip is going. I’m usually on my bike when I cross Boulder, which is a lot faster.” Our final destination was a strip mall, and he directed me meticulously through the entire parking lot so he could be let off within 20 feet of the front door of the restaurant. End fare for about 35 minutes of work, even with surge pricing, was another six bucks. My resolve to avoid driving cars in Boulder was reinforced.

My favorite times to be a driver were Friday nights. It was fun to feel the energy of people going out on the town, and find out what was going on.  I could see Uber driving to be a good escape for single people looking to meet new friends (or romances), because I almost always got along well with the customers, often exchanging business cards or email addresses with people when we found something in common. On longer rides with people over 30, the topic almost invariably led to life, business, and money, which led to Mustachianism, which led to me admitting my secret identity. Thus, some of my past Uber customers may even be reading this article today(?)

But in the end, it was hard to stay motivated to keep doing this experiment. There is just usually something better to do than driving around in a car, and I wasn’t willing to sacrifice too much of my life to gather more data. And with the financial gain of rideshare driving being negligble, I am surprised that there are so many people who do it.

How to Make the Most of a Low-Profit Situation

Still, as with everything in life, I did my best to optimize Uber driving for both fun and money. From my experience as well as reading online forums, the best way you can do it is:

Use the referral and bonus system heavily. Actual driving doesn’t pay well, but I have seen bonuses pop up on my app offering between $100-$500 to refer other drivers. There are also “weekly guarantee” offers that come up occasionally, offering more pay in exchange for meeting a certain threshold.

Use the lowest cost and most fuel-efficient car you can find. Uber requires you to have a fairly new (under 10 years) car, so get something on the older side of that spectrum, but with low miles. A 2009 Prius, for example, uses less than half the fuel of most cars of similar size.

Focus your driving around on “Surge Pricing”. By watching the app throughout the days and months, you will learn when your area enters periods of higher demand. Special events like Halloween, late weekend nights or major league sports events are popular times.

Try to find trips involving highways. Since you get paid mostly by the mile, you earn almost ten times more more money at 60 MPH than you make in on a long trip through central city where you might average only 6 MPH.

Experiment with the “set destination” feature to filter for rides going your way. Taking fares with you on your commute to work or to an airport.

Make the most of your downtime: there will still be lots of waiting between fares. If you bring a book, podcast, laptop or make business-related calls that help you learn a trade that pays more than driving, you can get yourself into a more lucrative trade.

Suggestions for Uber and Lyft

During the course of this experiment, I happened to receive emails from relatively senior people at both Uber and Lyft for unrelated reasons. So I took the opportunity to make some suggestions to make things friendlier for drivers:

Report the total driving time and miles for each ride and each shift, clearly specifying paid and unpaid miles and hours.

Provide an drivers an estimate of the car costs incurred, and estimated hourly earnings after these costs

Allow drivers to specify the types of rides they are willing to accept. For example, “only ring me for riders within 1 mile”, or “I would like to be paid for for both pickup mileage and rider mileage.”

Provide drivers with the details of where the person is going, or at least how long of a ride it is. Right now, Uber has all this incredibly useful information at the time of booking, but deliberately withholds it from the driver.

I was surprised that none of these suggestions got anywhere. This was a disappointment to the Economic Libertarian in me, because it seems obvious that  an open market between buyer and seller is the key to more efficiency.

In fact, early in my driving career I learned how much the unpaid driving was hurting my profitability so I stopped accepting distant fares. The app quickly sent me this note:

  Yeah, right. How about you just stop ringing me with fares that are ridiculously far away, instead?

When these companies deliberately tilt the field, they are being sneaky, which causes them to lose public trust, which causes the public to vote in a bunch of sclerotic regulation to protect the drivers and the public. If you, as a company, just avoid being a dick to people in the first place and treat them with complete openness and good old-fashioned honesty, they are more likely to let you run free.

Since I started this experiment a year ago, Uber has fallen into a world of trouble and bad publicity. Their internal culture of sexual harassment was blown wide open, along with the misdeeds of the wild and temperamental former CEO. From specific programs to evade government regulation to annoying treatment of drivers, Uber triggered a widespread backlash which became the #deleteuber campaign. Saying “Uber” is now a bit like uttering the words “ConAgra” or “Philip Morris” or “Exxon”.

Meanwhile, from the very beginning I noticed a friendlier tone in the way Lyft operates – see this 2016 interview with Lyft more laid-back founder John Zimmer.

In the End..

In general, I really want companies like Uber and Lyft (and Tesla, AirBnb, Google, Amazon and many of the other tech companies that have been stirring things up so much lately) to succeed, because the benefits to all of us greatly outweigh the inconvenience of the disruption.

For example, some people worry about what will happen to driving jobs as self-driving vehicles gradually take over. But I’m excited about the ways this can make our lives safer, quieter, and less expensive as we give up on owning personal cars, ride bikes much more, and use automated cars as a service whenever the bike is impractical. Technology provides a lumpy ride, but it also provides change which is an essential ingredient in every human life to avoid getting into a rut. So, share on.

Further Reading: How Big Oil Will Die – an interesting walk through the changes today’s technologies have already set in place – leading us very quickly to a place where nobody in 2010 would have even guessed.

  * this sentence surely made you ask, “but what about the BUS, Mustache?!?” – good question. Of course I’d always choose biking, then public transit as the first two options, but the airport is 45 miles away (well over 2 hours by bike) and the bus requires a transfer in Denver, which makes it even slower than biking. Also, both Uber and Lyft have referral programs which give you credit for referring friends – I still have a few credits in my Uber account.

If you want to try Uber or Lyft, sign by randomly choosing one of these codes from friends, and you’ll get $5-10 off of your first ride (and give a small surprise to some of the members of the MMM-HQ coworking space!)

Uber #1 Uber #2 Uber #3 Uber #4 Uber #5

Lyft #1 Lyft #2 Lyft #3

from Finance http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2017/11/22/mr-money-mustache-uber-driver/ via http://www.rssmix.com/