a week passed and donghyuck was still gone. a month passed and he didn't return. the school year ended and summer started, but donghyuck was nowhere to be seen.
mark's mom developed an addiction to alcohol and every night she went out to a bar, leaving him behind. instead of tucking him in at night, she was out drinking her fears away. sometimes she'd gossip about her son to the other drunk strangers at the bar, telling them what a pain it was to take care of him. when she returned home in the late hours of the night, she whisper homophobic slurs under her breath at mark, but he would still hear them.
"i can't believe i have a fag as a son." she murmured as she slammed the door behind her.
mark tensed up as he heard her words and he continued to watch a show on the television, trying his best to ignore her. jeno often called him that word.
mark opened the door to his backyard and walked out into the cool air. he always went to the backyard whenever his mom came home. the memories of him and his best friend sitting under the trees helped him calm down and unwind. as he sat under the trees, his breathing became steady and his fear seemed to be blown away with the gentle breeze.
"donghyuck, why'd you leave me?" mark said as if his friend could hear him.
the only reply he got was the rustling of the leaves blowing in the wind.
