Love in the Halls [Lee Donghyuck]

Chapter 49: Facing A Harsh Reality

ʕ˙Ⱉ˙‧:ʔ

Haechan POV

Haechan stood on the sun-soaked porch of Chenle's vacation house, the scent of saltwater and barbecue filling the air. He looked out at the beach, watching his friends laugh as they played a spirited game of volleyball near the shore. The golden glow of the setting sun bathed everything in a warm light, casting long shadows across the sand. It was picture-perfect, the kind of scene that should make anyone feel at peace. But all Haechan could feel was a dull ache in his chest.

For the past few weeks, he had tried to push it down, the nagging thought that kept creeping into his mind, but every time he saw Mark's phone light up with Narae's name, the pain returned, sharper each time. He had told himself that it was just a coincidence, that Mark probably texted a lot of people, and that Narae was just being friendly. But the more he noticed, the harder it was to believe those lies.

Haechan ran a hand through his hair, feeling the familiar frustration bubbling up. He had been looking forward to this vacation, to a chance to relax and have fun with his friends, away from the stress of school and the complexities of his own feelings. But Narae's silence had followed him here, her unread messages sitting in his phone like a silent reminder. He had tried not to think about it, to laugh it off whenever the others teased him about how she hadn't texted back.

"Maybe she's just too busy swimming with dolphins to check her phone," Jeno had joked one evening, his arm slung around Haechan's shoulder.

"Yeah, or she's just really bad at keeping in touch," Jaemin added with a grin. "Don't take it personally, Haechan."

Haechan had forced a smile, making some joke about Narae probably forgetting he even existed. It was easier to laugh along than admit that it bothered him, that every time his phone buzzed, his heart leapt in the hope it might be her, only to be disappointed when it wasn't. But now, standing on the porch, watching Mark smirk at his phone, Haechan felt something snap inside him.

He had seen Mark typing furiously, the look of concentration on his face. When Haechan walked by, pretending to head for the grill, he couldn't help but glance at Mark's screen. His heart had skipped a beat when he saw Narae's name at the top of the chat. They were exchanging inside jokes, laughing at shared memories, the kind of easy, familiar conversation Haechan had wished for with her. And suddenly, it all made sense—why Mark was always checking his phone, why he had been grinning at nothing, why Narae hadn't replied to Haechan's texts. She was talking to Mark, all this time.

A part of him wanted to confront Mark, to ask him what the hell he was doing flirting with Narae when he knew how Haechan felt about her. But another part of him, the one that was tired and hurt, knew it wouldn't change anything. Narae's silence had already told him everything he needed to know. She wasn't interested. Not in him, at least.

"Hey, Haechan!" Jaehyun called out from the beach, waving a bottle of soju in his hand. "Get your ass over here! We're starting the next round without you."

Haechan plastered on his usual smile, the one that felt more like a chore lately, and jogged down to join his friends. "You guys are lost without me," he teased, grabbing the soju from Jaehyun and taking a long swig. The alcohol burned his throat, a welcome distraction from the pain in his chest.

The game continued, loud and chaotic, with shouts and laughter echoing across the beach. Haechan threw himself into the game, diving for the ball, making jokes, anything to keep his mind off Mark and Narae. But every time he glanced towards the house, he could see Mark leaning against the porch railing, his phone in hand, and it was like a knife twisting in his gut.