Wendy Stories

Academic Competitors: MarkDy (3)

Wendy thought to herself: Okay. I knew Mark Tuan was smart. But I didn't expect him to be that smart.

Mark shot his arm out every time at the very second when the teacher asked a question. He didn't even to rack his brain for the answer, it just inherently came to him! Wendy was always behind him by a couple of seconds.

Annoyingly, their classmates would cheer for Mark whenever he answered, but boo Wendy when she does—once.

"Looks like the new know-it-all is Mark!"

"Congratulations, Mark!"

Yeri stuck her tongue out at Wendy.

Wendy just stared at them incredulously. She couldn't believe her winning streak was taken over by Mark.

Traitor.

She looked to her left to find Mark smirking. In actuality, he was smiling at Wendy. But Wendy's competitive mind warped that mouth movement. Whatever he accomplished today was just a coincidence. It was unlikely to happen again, right?

However, to her dismay, her winning streak was taken over completely, obliterating her past achievements. Mark kept his grind going every day. And every day, Wendy struggled to be on par with him. She was no longer number one in her classes.

Not anymore. She was going to study her butt off. Even if it meant not being able to hang out with Irene and Seulgi. Whatever little crush remnants she had on Mark was completely gone.

She kept going at her goal: to beat Mark at his own game. After school, she would go straight home to finish her homework quickly and then she would review her notes and the textbook until four a.m. Which only gave her three hours of sleep. You can only imagine how drained she looked at school afterwards. Her dark circles under her eyes were emphasized because they were even darker than before.

Even then, she still couldn't surpass Mark. It seems as though Mark doesn't need to study to be able to retain information or learn the material since he already knows it; he's a literal genius. That left Wendy furious, making her study extra hard and go to after school tutoring!

"Wendy, you're one of my best students. You don't need the help at all," Ms. Lee said.

"I want to be the best student."

Ms. Lee wanted to talk her out of it, but Wendy looked so determined. Wendy is determined. We all know how hardworking she is.

Still, it was no use. Mark was always number one, and so, she—gradually—gave up. Not entirely. But she lost that affinity for learning.

It was clear for Mark to understand what was going on. No one else bothered enough to care. Wendy didn't look drained like before, she looked ... dead. She doesn't answer questions like she used to and she doesn't seem engaged with the lessons anymore. She just sat there like a corpse and listened.

Class was dissmissed and as per usual, the students rushed out of there, except Wendy. She shoved her supplies back into her backpack and trudged.

Mark tapped her shoulder. Wendy knew that was Mark and kept walking. Mark tapped again, oblivious to the fact that Wendy intentionally ignored him. Wendy didn't turn around.

"Wendy!"

She groaned. Now I have to turn around and face him and talk to him!

She turned around and glared at him. "What do you want, Mark ?" She said his name venomously.

As always, Mark was unsuspicious. Even with her change of tone.

"I want to know what's going on with you."

"Nothing."

"It's obvious you're lying."

Wendy stared at him.

"You're not participating in class anymore."

Wendy continued to stare at him. Then, her eyes drooped. "I don't like learning anymore; I lost interest in school."

"I'm sure you'll regain that interest."

"Easy for you to say." She crossed her arms. "You don't even have to bat an eyelash at a textbook to read it; the material is implanted in your head."

"That's not true. I have to read the textbook several times."

She gave him a disbelieving look. "I don't believe you."

"I wouldn't lie to you, Wendy."

"Whatever. I still can't beat you in class."

"Your grades don't define you, Wendy, and I'm sure you can beat me if you kept trying."

"I've been trying."

"Then keep trying."

"I tried so hard."

"Did that help you?"

"No. That's what made me lose interest in education."

"Try a little less? Take baby steps until you enjoy learning again."

Wendy considered this. "You're right. Thank you, Mark."

"You're welcome."

"Why are being so nice to me?"

"Because I'm a generally nice person?"

"Aren't you trying to annoy me by taking my position as number one in the class?"

His eyes widened. Is that what she thought this whole time? "No. I've been trying to impress you!"

"Why would you try to impress me?"

"Because I like you!"

Now it was Wendy's eyes that widened. "I had a tiny crush on you, but that quickly dissipated."

His shoulders sunk.

"I didn't say it dissipated permanently."

His eyes were hopeful as he straightened his posture, towering over her.

"So... can we be friends?"

"We already are, Mark."

"Cool."

"I'm glad I'm not trying to compete with you anymore."

"Me, too."

I just dropped a MarkDy One-Shots story! It'd mean a lot if you guys read it. Thank you!