The Bends » Mark Lee

Four

„Wow, it's been ages since we hung out like that!" Jung Haeyoung said with a smile on her face and held on to Lee Donghyuck's arm like he was her crutch. Donghyuck scoffed and rolled his eyes at his cousin's affection and Mark laughed.

„I've been pretty busy with the Basketball Club and I have to study for the exam week guys," Mark explained and Donghyuck nodded before looking at his cousin. „You don't have to complain, Haeyoung. You're the one who hangs out with her boyfriend 24/7." Donghyuck stuck out his tongue and Haeyoung rolled her eyes. „I'm not hanging out with him 24/7!" She pouted and Mark laughed. „Don't fight kids." He said before the three of them entered Spao. „I need a jacket for my date with Mina-noona," Donghyuck said and took Haeyoung with him to pick something out, while Mark wandered around the shop looking at the special offers and other stuff. He enjoyed window shopping a lot, especially with Donghyuck and Haeyoung, but sometimes the two of them got into horrible fights and then Mark would love to disappear but usually he stayed.

„Hyung!" Donghyuck suddenly called out and showed Mark a khaki colored bomber jacket. Mark nodded. „Looks good, Donghyuck!" Mark smiled and Donghyuck did an air-pump before paying the jacket.

A few hours later the three of them sat in a cute little coffeeshop Go Inhye had recommended to Haeyoung, and were eating cakes when Haeyoung suddenly asked a question Mark wasn't prepared. „You're spending a lot of time with your classmates lately. Why?"

The question of the young girl confused Mark so much that he choked on his cake. „I don't understand the question, Haeoyungie."

„I wonder if it's because y'all study together or if there is another reason why you hang out with your classmates more than usual?" Haeyoung asked again and Mark sighed.

„My classmate Hana Coghlan came back from Ireland and when I speak English with her I don't miss Canada as much. And now that I am in my last year of Highschool I am missing Canada more than ever. It's nice speaking English with someone who isn't my Mum or my Dad." Mark explained to the two younger teenagers who nodded with interest. „Why didn't you invite her today?" Donghyuck asked with his mouth full of cake. „Why should I? We're not friends. We're only classmates." Mark simply stated, turning away from the Juniors and continue eating his cake. Haeyoung and Donghyuck exchanged a glance but didn't say anything.

. . .

Exam week was only a few days ahead and Hana decided to spend every free minute she had to offer to study in her school's library. The desk, Hana usually uses, was covered in books, notes, and pencils. She was a diligent student and wanted to ace her exams so she could take part in the school trip everyone in her class was hyped up.

Hana wasn't the only one who used the free time after school for studying in the library, Mark Lee did the same. He wasn't as diligent as Hana was, but he wanted to do well.

One warm spring day Mark entered the library and found Hana snoring away on her desk; drool dropping down on her maths notes. He chuckled a little bit before taking a seat opposite of her and opening his bag pack taking out a bag of Skittles.

He grinned and shook the small pack in front of Hana's face. The girl immediately opened her eyes at the sound of the snack and looked at the hand holding the snacks towards her. „Mark!" She groaned and wiped the drool off her chin. Very ladylike.

„How'd you get snacks into the library? Mrs. Kim once scolded me for taking a Strawberry Milk with me!" Hana pouted and Mark chuckled. „I have my ways." He smiled and opened the bag, throwing a handful Skittles in his mouth. Hana gulped and watched him. „Give me some!" She begged. „Please."

Mark cocked an eyebrow. „What? Why?" He asked, lifting the bag so high, Hana couldn't reach it. „I, I won't tell on you if we share!" She begged and gave Mark her most beautiful eye smile. Mark chuckled and seated the bag in the middle of the table, watching Hana take some with glee in her eyes.

. . .

Mark and Hana continued to meet in the library, studying together. Hana helping Mark with Maths and he helped her with History and Geography. Sometimes Mark snuck some snacks into the library and sometimes it was Hana who managed to get a bar of chocolate into the library without Mrs. Kim scolding her.

One day Soonbok and Yoogeun joined them in the library. But because Yoogeun had trouble remembering everything the kids got kicked out of the library with all their stuff. Mark sighed and looked at his phone when they left the library. „I have to go to basketball practice or else Somin-hyung will kill me," Mark explained and waved his goodbyes to his classmates.

Yoogeun soon said his goodbyes as well, heading off to his part-time job, leaving the two best friends behind; strolling around Hongdae.

Soonbok smiled at Hana before nudging her side. „I didn't know you and Mark Lee were close." She said and Hana widened her eyes. „We aren't. We just happen to study together. Nothing more, nothing less." Hana explained, looking at the window display at Club Clio.

The girls entered the shop, looking at the various new lip tints the store was selling. Hana tried out an orange colored tint when Soonbok looked at her. „Do you have feelings for him?"

„Mark?" Hana asked, surprised by Soonbok's direct question. She knew that Soonbok was direct like that and that she would ask whatever she wanted and whenever she wanted. And now Soonbok was curious if Hana had a crush on Mark Lee.

Hana couldn't answer. The rest of the day she was thinking about Mark and Soonbok's question. But she couldn't find a connection. Did she have a crush on him or was she simply trying to befriend him?

Hana sighed, putting down her pen and rubbing her temples. She was studying all weekend for the exam week that was starting tomorrow. But with her mind running wild because of the failed soccer tryout, the exam week and the weird question Soonbok had asked the seventeen-year-old lass.

Hana stood up to get some fresh air from the window when she suddenly felt a heavy weight on her chest. „Ho-Hoseok!" Hana managed to call out before collapsing on the floor, grabbing the fabric over her chest in a panic.

She hadn't felt like this in ages. It was like an elephant sitting on her chest and she couldn't move to get to her inhaler.

Hoseok, who got alarmed by the thud ran into the living room seeing his sister slowly passing out in front of him. Cussing he ran to her inhaler, that was on the table and rushed over to her, pulling her on his lap and helping her with the asthma spray.

Hana slowly opened her eyes, seeing Hoseok above her, but then fell unconscious again.