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March 31, 2018
"So..." Mark glanced around the high corners of the café, as if in doing so he'd be able to find a way to break the awkward atmosphere.
Mark had returned to the café later that day to check up on Nayeon. Instead of going out for dinner though, they just decided to eat at the café, where Nayeon had willingly whipped up a delicious meal.
The café was void of employees or customers; chairs stacked; tables wiped clean except for one. A table far in the silent back was brighter than all the rest as the other lights in the room dimmed low. Two plates on opposite sides of the table were scraped clean, aside for a few vegetables on one.
"So..." Nayeon continued, looking up for one of the first times that night.
"Are you okay?" Mark asked, wincing at his stupidly obvious question.
Nayeon however was too tense to notice. "Uhh... yeah. I just got kinda scared there for a second since she's not exactly the best person to be around when she's mad. Thanks for uh... saving me."
"Oh it was no problem," Mark said, oblivious to Nayeon's blush. "I never thought Sana would've tried to hit you, though."
"Me neither... but I guess I never really knew her anyways. She and I were never really that close in college, like she was with Hyojung. It was more Lisa and I— well before at least..."
Nayeon's gaze trailed downwards, and Mark struggled to keep the mood afloat. "Hey... has anything been going on lately around here?"
"Mm... nothing much. I've just been busy with the café."
"Oh!" Mark suddenly remembered. "Doesn't Yoobin, Hyojung's sister, work here?"
"Yep. Hyojung asked me to hire her for a part time job. She's a really hard worker!"
"Yeah, she is. She's actually in my class. Jinyoung and I were able to convince Mr. Park to work at your restaurant."
"Oh really? Hyojung only told me you were Binnie's teacher. It seems like the both of us are always helping Hyojung out, huh?"
"I guess we always are," Mark let out a timid laugh, that slowly faded away as a silence drifted between the two. Both knew that while they were always willing to help their friend out, there was always a cost of their feelings.
Sensing the discomfort, as Mark began to play with the silver fork on his plate, Nayeon took it upon herself to lighten the mood this time.
"Since you're her teacher, do you know a kid named BamBam?"
A look of confusion passed Mark's face as his younger friend's name was brought up to the table.
