𝟮 𝗛𝗢𝗧 | 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗵𝘆𝘂𝗰𝗸 || 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗪

𝗔𝗹𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁

The living room was dimly lit by the glow of the television, casting soft shadows on the walls. A blanket was draped over the couch where Hope, Haechan, and Mark were sprawled, snacks scattered around them. The evening had been filled with laughter, warmth, and the occasional playful jab, but the atmosphere was about to shift.

As the movie played on, Hope glanced over at Haechan, who was absorbed in his phone. His fingers flew over the screen, and his brows furrowed in concentration. Hope's irritation grew with each passing minute.

"Seriously, Haechan? You've been on your phone the whole time," Hope said, trying to keep her voice calm but failing.

Haechan looked up, momentarily distracted from his texting. "I'm just handling some stuff, Hope. It's important."

"Important enough to ignore movie night with us?" Hope shot back, her voice laced with frustration.

Mark, sensing the tension, tried to diffuse the situation with a lighthearted comment. "If y'all keep playing, I will make y'all a get-along shirt to put on."

Hope rolled her eyes, not amused by the attempt to lighten the mood. "It's not funny, Mark. I just want to spend time with both of you without distractions."

Haechan sighed, setting his phone down reluctantly. "It's not like I'm ignoring you on purpose. I've been trying to manage a few things, but I can focus now."

Hope's eyes softened, though she was still upset. "I get that, but it feels like you're more interested in whatever's on your phone than in being here with us."

Mark watched the exchange, his concern growing. He didn't want the evening to end on a sour note. "Alright, how about we all just take a deep breath and focus on the movie? We can talk about whatever's bothering us later."

Haechan nodded, trying to show that he understood. "Okay, I'll put the phone away."

As the movie continued, the tension in the room gradually eased. Hope leaned into Haechan, and Mark settled back into the couch. They managed to enjoy the rest of the evening, though the earlier argument lingered in the back of their minds.

Later, when the movie ended and the lights came back on, the trio sat in reflective silence. Hope finally broke the quiet, her voice soft but sincere. "I'm sorry for overreacting earlier. I just want us to be close and connected, especially with everything that's been happening."

Haechan took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to make you feel like I was ignoring you. It won't happen again."

Mark watched them with a small smile, relieved to see the issue resolved. "How about we plan another movie night soon? No phones allowed."

Hope and Haechan both chuckled, nodding in agreement. The night might have had its bumps, but their bond remained strong, and they knew they could navigate through any challenges together.