<span style="color: #FFBF00">"I don't know where you're going, but do you got room for one more troubled soul? I don't know where I'm going, but I don't think I'm coming home, and I said I'll check in tomorrow if I don't wake up dead. This is the road to ruin and we're starting at the end..."</span><br/><br/>James was watching the scenery go by as the car traveled down what he could only assume were private roads, his fingers tapping on his leg to the beat of the music. He thought back to the image of coming over the hill just before everything disappeared behind the trees. He'd soon a few large homes, but with how far away the car had been, and the space between each property... well, there was certainly no lack of privacy. He was sure all these houses probably had electric club cars to get anywhere they'd need to nearby. The transition from private road to 'drive way' was sudden, the trees disappeared to a large cleared area with sparse trees, a well manicured lawn, and various other luxuries.<br/><br/>They drove down the main path, everyone in the car sitting up a little straighter as they were all prepared to be done travelling for a bit. Jared was riding shotgun, a smile on his face as he texted Devin that they were pulling up on the drive. Tyler was driving, looking around slowly as he asked, "So is your summer home anything like this Jared?" He chuckled a little pulling to a stop, and looking around at all the decoration, admiring it all despite his frugal mind saying 80% of all of this nonsense was unnecessary. But this was how the other side lived,<span style="font-style: italic">Maybe my grandchildren, or their children, will know what it's like... </span>he thought idly.<br/><br/>Eric stretched in the backseat, mumbling something about just wanting to find a restroom, as Jared spoke up from the front seat, "As a matter of fact it is sort of like this, but it's on a lake. The parentals hate the beach, something about all the sand, so they'd rather trade in for pond scum. To each his own though, I like 'em both." He slid his phone into his pocket as he said "We'll have to see what everyone here is like. Devin is a good friend, but if I've met any of the others at all it was only in passing and not worth memory." He looked forward at Ty's prodding and saw Alexis coming out, Jeremiah not long behind her before climbing out of the car to go and greet their host and company.<br/><br/>James watched Jared get out, admiring his ability to seem at ease just about anywhere. Sometimes he wondered why Jared hung out with him and Ty, coming from such different walks of life. Jared was a single child and had grown up in the rich life, but apparently by 16 he found he couldn't just sit idle and do nothing like some of kids he'd grown up with. Jared had been gifted not only with the gift of gab, but an intellect that rivaled any of the top students at MIT. The fact he could talk to anyone in this car about his schooling and the job he had lined up was probably the glue that kept their little circle together. After the last few years their friendships went a little deeper than that, but that was at least how things had started.<br/><br/>Ty shut off the car and got out, all to eager to follow in Jared's footsteps as he hurried after their friend. Eric was another mutual friend between Ty and James, he and Jared having butted heads together one to many times to really be called friends. Didn't all groups have those few with their own personal conflicts who just never quite got along, but somehow never dissolved into just hating one another? James watched them before glancing over at Eric and saying, "Pop the trunk, yeah? Those two are a little to eager."<br/><br/>James grabbed the strap to his laptop back, slinging it over his shoulder before stepping out. He was wearing denim shorts, a blue V-neck, and flip flops, having changed after getting off their last flight. He didn't feel like showing up to a beach house in travel clothes where he didn't know anyone. Eric got out opposite him, dressed similarly but with a Captain America t-shirt on, and opened the driver side long enough to pop the trunk before joining James at the back. The two gathered their own things before stepping back and closing the trunk, turning to join their friends who were just reaching Alexis and Jeremiah.<br/><br/>Jared, wearing island swim trunks, a grey tank, and a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up and buttons undone, was the first to reach their greeters, smiling wide as he said, "Alexis, I believe? It's a pleasure to meet you in person." Ty caught up and stood just to Jared's left, wearing a pastel orange shirt over teal trunks, offering a wave of his hand as Jared kept talking. "I'm Jared, Devin's friend. This here is Tyler, and..." He glanced behind briefly before pointing at both Eric and James in turn as he said, "Those two are Eric and James." He faced Alexis once more and asked, "Speaking of Devin, where is he?"