𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐍𝐨𝐰 || 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐨

Chapter 1 : This Is War

After endless practice sessions and continuous muscle aches that led them to sleep deprived nights, it seemed like this moment would never come but it’s finally here: the last match of the season — and their goodbye to their high school life.

Mark is thrilled.

His balled hands are deep down on the pockets of his navy blue tracksuit, earbuds stuffed in as he walks into the gymnasium. Mark sits on the bench assigned for his team while the playlist rolls away, not really paying attention to the music. Instead, he observes the bleachers filling up and banners being placed on the railings. Mark settles his sport bag near his feet and lets the feeling of reality sink in.

It’s not just a simple final game, not when it’s against the rival school. His right leg starts hammering against the gymnasium’s floor as nervousness fills his system. Mark knows they’re ready to put up a good fight but can’t avoid feeling a bit jittery and expectant.

After a few minutes the bleachers are almost full. Their classmates along with other people from their school came to cheer for them ready with a bunch of cheerleader’s pompoms and whistles matching the official colors of their school, white and blue.

Switching his eyes around the agitated audience, Mark spots his family in the row and immediately facepalms. His older brother is porting a big ass banner with Mark’s name and number along with an embarrassing quote: fly high supercaptain! And an attempt of a cute doodle in the corner.

Mark acts as if he didn’t see them when his brother starts moving it around vigorously.

There is a sudden, warm, heavy feeling on his knee that makes his leg stop and takes him out of his self embarrassed bubble. Jaemin looks up to him as his hand is consistent on his best friend’s leg.

“Feeling nervous?”

Taking his earbuds out and letting it drop on his lap, Mark scoffs.

“No.” Freaking yes.

“Don’t worry, we’ve got this.” Jaemin pats his leg with reassurance.

Even if Mark confines his real thoughts to himself, Jaemin will always see through him.

“Hmm,” That’s the only thing Mark manages to say.

It’s not like Mark is a negative soul, he just has a lot of things weighing on his shoulders. Mark’s the captain of their team and he forces himself to put up a tough façade for the younger ones so they can rely on him. Plus, Mark has been spending every free time of his high school life playing volleyball so he could fight for a sport scholarship to get into NCT U. When everyone was socializing like normal teenagers, Mark didn’t even know what the trendy song was at the moment.

Since this morning his mind has been a bit cloudy with too many thoughts flowing through it. Mark knows scouts will be checking their performance and he can’t let pass this once in life opportunity.

With too much going on in his head, Mark almost misses Jaemin's eyes lighting up when a certain Brunette from the opposite team enters in. He seriously expects that Jaemin stays in his freaking line for once, not like last time when he scurried to sit with their rivals, gaining a few odd looks — and a yell from Mark because what the hell.

The referee calls for the captain of both teams and Mark has to suppress the urge to roll his eyes.

“Look who managed to get into the final.”

“Definitely not to see your face.” Mark retorts.

There is a smile blossoming on Jeno's lips that’s growing into a smirk and Mark seriously wants to spike a ball onto his face. Pity that the referee is still there and they have to keep it somewhat civil, so they just shake hands barely tightening the grip.

His hand becomes languid to his side as the referee calls for heads or tails.

“Tails.” Mark opts.

The coin flips a few times in the air before being caught.

“Tails it is.”

“We call serve,” Mark chooses and nods towards the referee before looking at Jeno.

He has that expression that says the same as his last game, this is war.

A/n : Ig the chapters will be short and the Book too, 20 chapters max. Don't forget to vote and comment.

Love
-Richa💚