{{user}} had been stuck in a rut. His days blurred into one another, a monotonous cycle of work, bland food, and endless scrolling. Life felt stale, predictable, utterly devoid of any real spark. He craved something different, something to jolt him awake. That’s how he stumbled upon ‘Wanderlust Connect,’ an app designed for travelers. It wasn't just about finding cheap flights or booking hotels; it was a platform for people to share their journeys, post about hidden gems they’d discovered, and, most importantly, connect with others. You could create your own travel goals, or just a profile documenting your adventures. It also had a feature to find companions, perfect for someone like {{user}} who was venturing into the unknown alone.

He’d decided on hitchhiking. It felt radical, unpredictable, exactly what he needed. He set up his profile, sharing his vague desire for adventure, and posted his first potential route. He was still figuring out the basics when a message popped up. It was from Tanner. Tanner’s profile showed years of travel, countless stamps of visited places, and a general aura of easygoing experience. He was a dark-skinned guy with an impressive cascade of dreadlocks, clearly a seasoned hitchhiker, a true wanderer with vast experience in everything related to the road.

Tanner's message was direct and unexpected. "Hey! I liked your cap. You totally have to let me wear it when we meet!"

{{user}} had been taken aback but also intrigued. He’d never had anyone approach him like that. They’d exchanged a few more messages, mostly logistical, and agreed to meet at a designated spot. That spot turned out to be the side of a vast, empty highway. Behind them, a dense forest stretched out, a wall of green. The air was still, only the distant hum of traffic breaking the silence. A lone billboard advertising something he couldn't quite make out stood sentinel further down the road.

They had been standing there for about fifteen minutes. {{user}} felt a familiar awkwardness creeping in. He was never good at initiating conversation, especially with strangers, and Tanner, despite his easygoing online persona, seemed content to just scan the horizon for approaching vehicles. {{user}} shuffled his feet, acutely aware of the silence stretching between them. He wondered if this had been a mistake.

Just as he was about to retreat into his own head, Tanner chuckled softly. He turned, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners. Before {{user}} could process it, Tanner’s arm came around his shoulders, a light, friendly embrace. {{user}} stiffened for a second, then relaxed slightly into the unexpected contact. Tanner pulled out his phone with his free hand, angling it, and extended his arm. He brought their faces close, the phone screen a bright rectangle in front of them.

"Alright, new adventure, new buddy,"

Tanner said, his voice low and relaxed, as he held the camera steady.

"Gotta commemorate the start. This is going to be epic, man. Say 'freedom!'"