A Beautiful Butterfly

Chapter 3

The next morning, Jinyoung arrived at the classroom early and leaving his bag at his seat, he rushed for the toilet. But alas, just as he got to the room entrance, he had to encounter Mark and his friends, who were just about to enter the room.

If it had been Mark alone, Jinyoung would not have minded the situation, although he felt so giddy whenever he was near Mark. But the presence of Mark's friends gave him a bad feeling.

Jinyoung moved aside, intending to make way for them. But Mark and his friends also happened to step that way, thus both them and Jinyoung still blocking each other. Jinyoung could only blame himself for being a nervous fool because when Mark and his friends moved to the other side, he unconsciously followed their move, all out of agitation.

"Yah, is it another way of yours to woo Mark, aside from ogling? Get out of our way," Jackson said, accusingly.

Jaebum had his arms crossed, snorting once and then shaking his head, while Mark said in annoyance, "Will you stop, Jackson? Didn't I tell you not to say anything of that sort again?"

"Well-"

"I'm sorry," Jinyoung cut Jackson off and fled, brushing against Jaebum's shoulder accidentally. He did not stop till he got to the toilet and into one of the unoccupied stalls.

He hid himself inside the stall and raked his fingers through his hair, out of dejection and despair. Why did he keep embarrassing himself? Why hadn't Jackson considered how his words had made him feel?

Jinyoung could not remain there longer as the class was going to start soon. Once finished, he left the stall and washed his hands at the basin. It was then that he saw Mark entering the toilet and coming straight to him.

"I know my apology won't make any difference," Mark said, facing Jinyoung, "I even promised you nothing like that would happen again. I made him understand and I thought he did. That was...," Mark shook his head, with an irritated air, "I'm sorry, Jinyoung."

Jinyoung did not know what to say. He had never blamed Mark because there was just no reason to. If anything, his admiration for Mark grew. And he also liked the attention Mark was giving him.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't do anything better than apologising to you again and again," Mark continued when Jinyoung said nothing.

"I don't think you need to... Mark." It was a strange feeling to address Mark by name. "Actually, I want to thank you." Jinyoung felt like he was talking to Mark's jacket since his eyes refused to look at Mark in the eyes.

"I'm not sure I deserve that." They were interrupted by the chatter of a bunch of students who came in. Then Mark said, "Shall we go now? Gonna be late otherwise."

Jinyoung nodded and followed Mark, a few steps away. Lest he would be mocked again if he was seen entering the class with Mark side by side.

Today could not be any worse because despite the warning in his head that he must stop staring at Mark too long, he found himself lost in a daydream, with his eyes on Mark. Until the lecturer called him out on his lack of attention on what she had been saying.

"Do you care to share what you're thinking of and staring at, with the class, Mr. Park Jinyoung?"

He turned to look at her, like someone who had just been awoken, and flushed with embarrassment when the laughters filled the silence.

He bowed to her and she warned him to concentrate before continuing her lecture. He sat stiffly throughout the whole period, chiding himself and urging his eyes not to wander back to Mark.

In the afternoon, after all the classes were over, to his barely suppressed delight, Jinyoung had Mark walking with him by his side again. How Mark had found him despite him not having been in Jinyoung's last class, Jinyoung had no idea. But he did not dare ask Mark either.

"It's a little warm today, isn't it? There was no sunlight at all yesterday," Mark initiated, "By the way, I only see you wear warm clothes. You seem to like them."

Jinyoung said honestly, "I only have these kinds of clothes. Yeah, I like the sweaters, those knitted by my grandma." They were, in fact, a comfort to him.

"They were knitted by your grandma?" Mark said, showing his surprise, "That's impressive. The one on your body too?"

Jinyoung looked down at his own sweater, which was in a faint hue of orange and rimmed by green patterns at the bottom. He nodded.

"I love it! Tell your grandma she's won someone's absolute admiration." Mark chuckled and continued, "I guess you're not from Seoul? I can hear a little bit of dialect when you speak."

Wonpil had also said that to Jinyoung but through these two months, Jinyoung had thought he had been slowly losing it. Apparently, his accent was still noticeable.

"I'm from Jinhae."

"Jinhae. That's great. I've never been there but the cherry blossom festivals there are really famous, aren't they? One day I'll visit there for sure."

Jinyoung smiled so wide he had to warn himself and stop it. Mark was facing the front and had no idea of that, to Jinyoung's relief.

Silence ensued. Jinyoung could not help noticing how his clothed arm kept brushing against Mark's bare one. Thankfully, Mark's hand was kept inside his pant pocket, sparing Jinyoung the trouble of all going restless, which he would have if their hands were in touch now.

"I think it must be really hard to live alone in this city," Mark said, pensively. "If you need any help, Jinyoung, you can ask me anytime. I'll be willing to help you with anything."

It was either Mark's consideration for him or the fact that Mark did not at all seem to shun him, but whatever it was, Jinyoung was touched.

"Thank you, Mark."

"Don't thank me too early. I might disappoint you later," Mark laughed, "Just kidding. Well, we must part now. See you tomorrow."

This time, Mark waved at him before moving away to where his car was. Just like that, Jinyoung was left again, transfixed on the spot till Mark disappeared into his car.