Two days later, after all the students had been back to Seoul, the classes began again. The news of the lost and found students was now popular on the campus.
That day, Jinyoung, Jaebum and Jackson were at the canteen, at lunch time. Some students took glances at their table, as they had the knowledge about Jinyoung being one of the three students who had experienced that misadventure in the forest.
"I've never regretted flirting with a girl in my whole life, except that time," Jackson said, "Just out of our sight and you got lost, Jinyoung. Have you met Minji, by the way? She must be so worried about you."
Minji. Jinyoung had forgot her long since, and had no desire to meet her any soon. His mind had been occupied by Mark since they had got back to Seoul, and he had not met Mark since then.
He did not have Mark's number, which he should have asked Mark before. But at least, they knew where each other's class was. Jinyoung had hoped that Mark would come and see him once they were back to their classes.
But Mark had not appeared the whole morning and Jinyoung could not make out what that meant. Had Mark been busy in his class? Or didn't Mark want to see him anymore, considering that Mark had avoided talking to him about their relationship? Jinyoung felt lost and had not been able to concentrate much during the morning classes, either.
"Jinyoung?" Jackson called, looking at Jinyoung questioningly, "Did you even hear what I asked you?"
"Are you alright?" Jaebum asked.
"What did you ask me, Jackson? Meeting Minji?"
"Yes. Did it take you that long to answer?"
"I haven't met her," Jinyoung said, "I don't want to."
Jaebum raised his eyebrows, "Anything happened between you two? Come to think of it, you've barely talked about her after that party. What happened?"
"Nothing. I just haven't met her since. I just felt awkward to meet her after that incident at the party."
"Huh? When you didn't even confess to her? Why would you feel awkward?" Jackson asked.
"I don't know. I just felt so."
Jinyoung wished his friends would stop talking about Minji, or anything, to him. He was suffocated enough by the thoughts of Mark alone; he did not want to think about anything else.
"Jinyoung, aren't you feeling well? You look like you don't want to be here," Jaebum asked, concerned for him.
"I think so, too," Jackson said, "What's wrong, Jinyoung?"
"I'm good, guys. Nothing's wrong."
"If you say so," Jaebum said, although not at all convinced. He and Jackson exchanged glances but said nothing more.
The rest of the lunch break, Jaebum and Jackson were the only ones who talked, while Jinyoung had his lunch in silence, wandering in his mind.
After the lunch break, they had three more classes to attend. But Jinyoung continued for only one more class, and after that, he prepared to leave.
Jaebum grabbed his wrist when he got off the seat and Jackson was looking at him, too.
"Where're you going?" Jaebum asked.
"Going back to the dorm," Jinyoung answered.
"You aren't feeling well, after all, Jinyoung. Just go and take a rest. Call us if you need anything," Jackson said.
"Thanks, guys. Don't worry about me. I just need a rest."
Jinyoung left in a hurry before the lecturer came. Once he was outside the class, he turned to the Botany department. He had lied to his friends, he knew, but he was not ready to talk to them about that thing he had with Mark. And he needed to see Mark first, before anything.
He had passed the Botany department several times before but never been to any of the Botany classes. It was not difficult, however, to search for the junior class. The only problem was that the lecturer was inside there already. There was a window there but Jinyoung could not see all the students inside, through it.
The only option left for him now was to wait till the lecture was finished. Leaning against the outside wall of the class, where he could not be seen by anyone from inside the class, he waited.
Time seemed to be going slow but nothing did matter as long as he could see Mark in the end. After what seemed like fifteen minutes, however, a male student came out and got startled to see Jinyoung against the wall.
"Excuse me," Jinyoung addressed the student, "Has your class finished? I'm here to meet someone from this class."
"Not finished yet. I'm going to the toilet. Who're you waiting for, anyway?"
"Mark," Jinyoung said, "Mark Tuan."
"Mark? He's not here, today. He's been absent since the morning."
Jinyoung was disheartened but did not forget to get to know a few details about him.
"Thank you for telling me. But do you have his number or maybe his address?"
"I'm not that friendly with him to know his number or where he lives. Maybe, you can come back tomorrow. I guess he'll be here then."
That was the only thing he could do, given this situation. "I think so. Sorry for taking your time and thank you."
"No problem."
The student continued his way to the toilet, in a hurry, and Jinyoung also left the place. He was frustrated with these circumstances, but at the same time, he was worried about Mark. Why had not Mark come to the class? Had something happened to him? Or was he not feeling well?
Tomorrow, he hoped he would see Mark and talk with him about all of this between them.
