The Close Strangers

n i n e t e e n

Mark throws his phone to the couch in his living room as he walks back and forth. He's really feeling uneasy and frustrated right now. It's almost midnight yet Yerim is not home yet. He doesn't know where she goes and whom she goes with, but he knows that she shouldn't come this late, especially without Mark around him.

His mother and sisters are already sleeping right now, and he's all alone in the living room, waiting for Yerim to come back. If his father is in Korea, he must have been accompanying Mark, but unfortunately, he has some business to do in China for a week.

The television that is playing one of Mark's favorite show fails to get his attention at all because Mark's mind is filled by Yerim.

He becomes more and more frustrated since he also can't reach Yerim by phone. He just remembers that she lost it yesterday. That's definitely why she didn't read Mark's message that informs about their friends came over.

Mark immediately runs toward the window where he can see the front gate when he hears someone opening it. There is a car, the same car as this afternoon, that leaves as soon as Yerim waves at the driver.

He comes back to the couch, finding the comfiest position as he starts to watch the television. His favorite show has ended and now the program changes into Korean drama which Mark doesn't like at all. But, since Mark has no more time to change the program, he just pretends to enjoy it.

He can hear Yerim opens the door, but he doesn't know how she reacts to Mark's existence since he doesn't want to turn his head.

"Why haven't you slept yet?" Yerim asks him as she takes off her shoes. She's surprised and also flustered to see Mark in there. She also feels guilty because she believes Mark is waiting for her.

Mark doesn't respond to her even after she stands behind him. She takes a glance at the television which shows What's Wrong With Secretary Kim, a romance drama that is not so Mark.

"Are you really watching this?" Yerim asks as she bends down a little to see Mark's feature side at the time Mark turns his head too.

She immediately pushes her head back since their faces become too close in only a second. Even so, they can hear how their hearts suddenly beat crazily.

"Whㅡ why you ask?" Mark suddenly becomes stutter as he looks away.

"I gave up on watching this drama because it's too cheesy," Yerim explains while looking at the television, "And seeing you watch this just don't feel right."

Mark sighs, realizing how Yerim starts to know him too well.

"Where did you go?" Mark asks her.

"I just watched live music. Mark, by the way, I am so sorry about what happened today. I was really tiptoeing when I heard their voices inside your room, but Jihoonnie suddenly came from behind me, so I couldn't go anywhere else besidesㅡ"

"It's fine, Yerm, it was also my fault," Mark interrupts her, "I completely forgot that you don't have a phone."

Yerim nods even though Mark can't see it since she's still standing behind him.

"Whom you go with, Yerm?" Mark asks another question, the second question of a bunch that still in his head.

Yerim doesn't answer right away, so Mark turns his head, seeing how Yerim is looking down to her feet.

"Jaehyun-oppa."

Hearing his name successfully makes Mark raising his eyebrows spontaneously.

He guesses he'll hear his name often starts from now and it's not a good thing.

"What makes you think that he deserves to know that you live in my house? Just because he's my sister's friend? And I know him just like you do? Or because you've known him for years?"