Eyes Don't Lie

23

Eyes don't lie

23 

(The second last chapter)

"I kissed Jeno," Donghyuck said out of the blue, making Mark who was sitting besides him raise his eyebrow, letting them suffer in awkward silence for a few seconds. Dongyhuck's family was currently over at Mark's house and the two boys had decided to go into the garden to talk in private. 

"Damn you're brave," Mark dryly commented after a while. 

"Please, some constructive remarks?," Donghyuck whined half-playfully, half-seriously, nervously brushing his hair back. 

"How do you feel?," he then asked. 

"I'm fine. If it turned out well, I'm happy for you guys. How did he react?," Mark answered nonchalantly. 

"That's the problem," Donghyuck admitted slightly ashamed. 

"I kinda took him by surprise with it. Like, there was some build-up and he literally closed his eyes himself but still, it was me who initiated it," he told, not looking at Mark in the process, scared of being judged even though it was barely possible as it was his open-minded, supportive friend who sat listening to him. 

"And now?," Mark questioned in order to be able to get an understanding of the whole situation. 

"He's been avoiding me since then...", Donghyuck explained, sighing. 

"Y'all are mature, huh," Mark thought to himself first before he tried to find solutions for the problem. 

"I can't believe how childish you two are," he started, to tease the other but also to lighten the mood as he had noticed that Donghyuck was really stressed out, earning a smack on his arm in return. 

"Says you who cried when they almost lost their cuddly toy last year," the younger retorted, making Mark roll his eyes. 

"Anyways, uhm, I would not stop trying to get in touch with him. I know this sounds always easier said than done but don't regret not talking this stuff out. Also, it'd be non-beneficial for our friend group. Sorry, but honestly I don't want you guys to destroy the great dynamic our clique has had. If he continuously ignores your effort, I'll talk to him. Obviously I'll be there for you but you have to take matters into your own hands," the older one meant, his honesty making Donghyuck even more aware of all the issues adding up.

"I see, you're right," he said, letting his friend's word sink in. 

"Still, it's so hard to approach him," he complained, ruining his straight hair by ruffling through it with his hands. 

"Just grab him and pull him out of the room. Bro cares about his image, you know he always tries to seem kind to everyone, so he will not push you away or anything," Mark stated bluntly, making Donghyuck laugh a bit. 

"Also, if he likes you, he might act too. He just needs a little time to sort his feeling and thoughts. How long has it been since the kiss?," Mark spoke calmly. 

"Three days," Donghyuck replied. 

"Three days?!," Mark exclaimed. 

"Let him breathe! He's probably very confused and all and you are making a fuss about three days? Oh, you worry too much. We all know Jeno likes to think things through," he argued and gave Donghyuck a side hug to reassure him. 

"Really?," Donghyuck asked unsurely, really needing the other's optimism. 

"Yup, don't get all worked up!," Mark repeated.