☦︎︎ 𝘿𝙀𝙄𝙏𝙔 [𝙈𝘼𝙍𝙆𝙃𝙔𝙐𝘾𝙆]☦︎︎

☦︎︎ 21 ☦︎︎

It's been a few days since Haechan heard the news about Taeil. Mark could tell this was affecting him quite badly. He didn't want to leave Haechan alone either because he was scared he might do something extreme or hurt himself, not that Haechan has shown signs of it but he still worries about him.

Haechan slept around Mark's house yesterday and the two are walking to University together.

"Haechan? You okay?"

"Mmm," Haechan said, not really wanting to talk about it. He was grateful that Mark was so kind to him through all this.

"You told Kun you have to leave soon and go home, what's that about?"

"Oh. The Firsts are meant to call me back every so often to check that I'm still doing a good job researching. It's actually at the end of the week."

"You have to go already?" said Mark with a hint of sadness.

"Um, I don't know... This is actually my last report before my trip ends. But I'm gonna ask them if I can have an extension so I can stay here longer!"

"Do you think they'll give you one?"

"I don't know," Haechan knew how unpredictable the Firsts were with him. "After this report, my trip ends in 3 months. But I'm gonna ask if they can extend it so it's just a report in 3 months and not the end of my trip."

Mark could feel himself getting sadder. Did Haechan really have to leave in only a few months?

"Hey," Haechan started, noticing Mark's sad face, "don't worry! They'll definitely let me stay here!"

~

Mark cheered up a bit before he noticed a friend at the gate.

"Taeyong?"

"Oh, hi Mark!" Taeyong looked towards Haechan, "are you Haechan? I remember you from the party!"

"You remember me? I remember you! You looked so cool..." Haechan spoke casually to Taeyong.

"No, you looked cool in your skirt!"

"Really?"

"Yeah!"

It seems the two were already best friends even though this is their first proper conversation.

"What are you doing here?" Mark asked.

"Oh, uh, I'm waiting for Jaehyun..." Taeyong said shyly, avoiding Mark's eyes. "He said he was gonna come collect me at the gate so we can have lunch together in the cafeteria but he's still not here!"

"You can just come with us!" said Haechan.

Mark smiled at Haechan and nodded. "Mmm, we're going there right now to meet them. Jaehyun and Johnny, that is. Wanna come?"

"Okay. I'll come with you guys. I've already been waiting for Jaehyun for like 10 minutes! Stupid old man is probably taking a nap somewhere."

~

"Haechan!" Johnny shouts as he sees Haechan for the first time in a long time. He runs up to him and picks him up excitedly. "Haechan, you're back!"

Haechan giggles. "Yep, I'm back."

"I'm here as well..." said Mark.

"Well, then I'll pick you up as well," Johnny said, releasing Haechan and walking over to Mark with his arms out.

"No! No! It's okay," Mark runs to sit down and Haechan joins him. Johnny sits opposite them.

"You idiot Jaehyun!" Taeyong walks up to Jaehyun and pokes him in the back before taking a seat next to Haechan.