SMILE | NCT Markhyuck

02

Upon entering his second year of middle school, Mark officially veered down a delinquent path. Always getting his head stuck in frequent fights and skipping classes became his norm. In contrast, Donhyuck became popular and adored by peers and teachers alike. Mark realized they lived in different worlds and began distancing himself from the boy.

" Those bastards, they better not show up again!" Mark seethed, fed up with the constant taunting due to his overseas upbringing. Bruises and blood covered his battered frame after yet another brawl. As was his custom, he skipped school and made his way home, seething with anger. The long, meandering path was surrounded by nature's beauty, yet Mark had no patience for it. Bitterly cursing those who had attacked him, he stumbled over a rock and fell to the path's edge. He didn't bother to get up and sat there, now drenched by the rain. "Rain? Damn it, you've got to be kidding me."

'Annoying.'

'Anything and everything...'

'Everyone. School. Rain.'

Mark sat on the path's edge in the pouring rain for what felt like an eternity. Suddenly, someone approached and shielded him from the rain. Blinking away his self-pity, Mark looked up to see Donghyuck leaning over him with his umbrella and that warm, inviting smile that never failed to stir something within Mark. "You'll get sick sitting in the rain like this," Mark grumbled, looking away.

"What's with all these bruises? Did you get into a fight?" Donghyuck leaned in, his worried expression causing him to reach out to touch Mark's face.

"It has nothing to do with you." Mark sneered, slapping the worried boy's hand away. 

"It does! You're my friend" Donghyuck protested, chasing after Mark. "Are you even eating properly? If you have any proble-"

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Mark bellowed, his arm swinging around to forcefully push Donghyuck to the ground. The umbrella flew from his hand due to the sudden shove.

"Ugh," the smaller boy winced in pain.

"Uh, Hyuckie.." Mark took a step closer, regret washing over him.

"Haha, looks like you've been eating well. I'm relieved," Donghyuck chuckled amidst the pain. He took a deep breath, controlling his voice, and looked up at Mark with a sad smile. "Please, can we talk like we used to? I want to understand you better and be a help to you."

"A guy who lives in a blessed environment, surrounded by a loving family, can never understand," Mark hissed, pushing away the only person who still seemed to care about him. "Just leave me alone, please." Mark turned around and ran off, leaving Donghyuck alone on the wet ground in the rain.

No matter how tall Mark had grown or how proficient he had become at fighting, he was still weak. He could hurt the one he loved but couldn't protect them.

Nothing had changed; he was still weak.