SMILE | NCT Markhyuck

07

"Um, were you the girl who wrote me this letter?" Donghyuck stood behind the old cafeteria building near the big tree, following the instructions in the letter.

"Yes..." the girl replied shyly.

"I'm flattered that you wrote me a letter, but I can't go out with you."

"...May I know why?"

Donghyuck felt awkward and tried to come up with a reasonable explanation. "Well, um, that's-"

"Am I lacking in something...? I can change if it's for you, Donghyuck," the girl spoke desperately, keeping her head down.

"No, it's not your problem," he reassured her. "Actually, I'm kind of dating someone else right now. She's from another school, so I didn't really tell anyone."

"Oh, I see." The girl finally lifted her head to look at Donghyuck.

"I'm really sorry."

"No, it's okay." They left on a good note, both unaware of the silhouette lurking behind the building, eavesdropping.

✨✨✨

In the afternoon, the boys were scheduled to meet up at the library.

"A-yo," Donghyuck poked his head through the door, "sorry I'm late, I was on cleaning duty today."

"I see." The room's atmosphere suddenly felt heavy. Mark didn't even turn to face Donghyuck. 

Donghyuck cleared his throat and carried on as if everything were normal. "Ah! Let's continue yesterday's exercises."

"I've done them already." 

Donghyuck walked over to where Mark was quietly seated and picked up the exercise. "Oh... wow! I'll check it right away."

"..."

Time passed painfully slowly, with no conversation taking place. Donghyuck had finished checking the exercises a while ago and was now using it as an excuse to come up with something to say. Mark remained silent, gazing out of the large window. He was obviously troubled by something.

"H-hey, you don't look very happy today," Donghyuck finally spoke up, breaking the awkward silence.

"This is how I normally look," Mark replied flatly, still avoiding eye contact.

"AHAHA... I see..." In silence, the boys finished their work and decided to call it a day.

✨✨✨

Mark walked behind Donghyuck in silence, lost in his thoughts. The quietness was driving Donghyuck crazy. "Hey Mark," he spoke out, stopping in his tracks. "Is something bothering you?" he asked without turning around.

Mark stared at the back of Donghyuck's head and sighed. "...No, not really..."

With a gentle movement, Donghyuck turned around and smiled, scratching the side of his head. "If I did anything that bothered you, lemme know, okay? I can be very dense sometimes, ahaha"

"Why?" Mark was doing his best not to explode in anger, but that depended on Donghyuck's response.

"Eh?" Donghyuck acted as if he didn't understand. Mark couldn't take it anymore.

"Why would you care if something bothered me?! I was being mean to you! Why are you even concerned about someone like me?! If you have the time to deal with me, why don't you go to your girlfriend?!"

Donghyuck stood patiently. "You were listening to our conversation?"

"..."

"Ahh, is that why you were angry? I'm sorry, Mark. I didn't mean to keep it from you," he chuckled, rubbing the back of his head.

Mark couldn't believe what he was hearing. He stood in his spot, shaking with anger and frustration. It infuriated him that Donghyuck was taking this so lightly. "Why did you fall for someone else?"

"Huh?" Did Donghyuck hear that correctly?

"I'm the one who has been looking at you more than anyone!" Mark shouted. He took deep breaths and desperately tried to read Donghyuck's face, searching for reassurance. But all he could see in the smaller boy's expression was shock, confusion, and discomfort.

Donghyuck was finding it hard to accept all that he had just heard. This can't be real.' He thought.