more than this | mark lee

18 - the welcome dinner

The class was dismissed early today, the students cheered in joy as they watch the lecturer leave the room.

"are you really not joining us for lunch?" Seolla looked over to her friend, who was busy packing her things, rushing to go home, avoiding all conversations at all costs.

Seolla being Seolla, she made sure to use her puppy eyes, those eyes that her best friend could have never denied, "You've been in your apartment for days now!! I miss the 4 of us hanging out!" She pleaded.

Jieun looked over to the two boys, "she's right Eun, we miss you, it's been a while since we last hang" Jake said and Jay added, "Come on~ you know you wanna!" He wiggled his eyebrows as he poked onto her shoulders.

The scene of her three best friends trying their best to convince her to spend time with them really made her heart move. Feeling beyond grateful to have friends like them. She burst out a chuckle seeing them pull their best puppy eyes and Seolla even did aegyo, "fine" She smiled.

The three cheered in unison, finally able to drag Jieun out of her slump. Jay and Seolla exchange a high five and Jake did a mini victory dance.

However, the atmosphere was immediately ruined as they were met with a familiar figure.

"Hey guys!" The engineering boy greeted as he stepped into the same classroom. His eyes immediately landed on the girl, whom he hadn't seen in ages.

"Hey!" Jake smiled and the others waved and gave him a little nod, while Jieun just stayed quiet.

"Hey?" Mark greeted again but this time he stood closer to Jieun, making sure she knows that he was speaking to her.

Mark quickly looked over to Jay, giving him a little nod. "we'll leave the two of you alone, call me if you need anything, I'll text you the address for the restaurant Eun!" Jay said and gave her a small pat on his shoulder.

Jieun watched as her friends exited out of the room, her eyes were begging and signalling them not to leave.

But too bad, you should face your problems yourself and you can never avoid them.

"hey" Jieun finally replied soft, avoiding Mark's eyes. Not knowing what to do, Mark just went along with it, "You free right now?"

Heaving a sigh, Jieun gave in and looked up to meet his eyes, "No, I'm gonna have lunch with the boys and Seol" she said.

Ignoring what she had just said, "Are you avoiding me?" Another question came.

His question made Jieun hesitant to answer, was she avoiding him? Maybe. Was he the sole reason why she was in a slump? Maybe.

Maybe.

Jieun didn't know what to answer, fearing that if she said maybe it'll hurt his feelings. In the end of the day, if she did have a little crush on him, she didn't want to ruin it because Mark was such an amazing friend. And so she lied,

"No?" She questioned back, raising a brow. Trying her best to lie. "I've just been busy with work" Another excuse came, trying to back up her lie.

Mark stared at her in silence. Uncertain with her reply, his gut telling him something is wrong but his mind just couldn't seem to figure out what was. Ignoring his thoughts, he decided it would be best if they settle everything out by lunch.

"You're so busy that you won't even have time to have lunch with me?" He asked, this time his tone was soft.

Jieun sighed at his reply, "Did you not hear what I just said? I'm having lunch with the boys. We can eat some other day" She said sternly, this time eyes piercing through his.