SMILE | NCT Markhyuck

12

Summer ended in the blink of an eye, and Mark felt blessed to be with Donghyuck. However, the bliss was shattered when an ugly side of people emerged.

"Someone sent this photo to school this morning." Mark and Donghyuck were summoned to the faculty office by their teacher, facing a laptop displaying a picture of them walking hand in hand. "It was also posted on the bulletin board. Do you know anyone who could have done this?"

"I'm sorry. I have no idea, sir." Donghyuck muttered, finding it hard to meet his teacher's gaze.

"Then, would you care to explain this?" The teacher leaned forward, arms folded. "Is it true that you two are in a relationship?"

"Yes, sir," Donghyuck replied anxiously, detecting traces of disgust in his teacher's voice. Mark was stunned; he never expected Donghyuck to claim their relationship in such a situation. Despite the inappropriate timing, Mark couldn't help but fall in love all over again.

"Are you aware of what you are doing, Donghyuck?" The teacher spoke with disapproval, taken aback by the unexpected acknowledgment. "You should behave yourself; don't forget you are the student council president!"

"We promise we won't let it affect our grades, sir" Donhyuck pleaded.

"That's not what I'm talking about!" The teacher finally snapped, "In any case, you two should sto-"

"No!" Mark burst out, unable to keep quiet. He didn't want someone outside, who knew nothing about their feelings, to dictate their actions. "What we want to do is none of your business!" he spat.

"Watch your manners! This is no way to talk to a teacher!" A staff member yelled from across the room.

"We promise we won't cause the school any trouble. And we'll take extra precautions not to do anything to affect the school's reputation." Donghyuck calmly assured, bowing whilst pulling Mark down with him in a gesture of apology. "We are very sorry about this."

✨✨✨

"Okay, team, gather up! We're starting a practice match!" The coach announced. Everyone got into their positions, and the game began. Mark's teammate, surrounded by opponents, had no choice but to pass the ball to Mark, who was waving his arms for a pass. Instead, he turned away and threw the ball to the opponent's side. "Oi! Who are you passing to?" The coach blew the whistle.

'I see.' Mark thought to himself, quickly picking up on the sudden change of acceptance from his peers.

"Sorry coach, my hand slipped"

"Times up! That's all for today's practice!" 

✨✨✨

"Heh, that was obvious, man!" A student snickered in the changing room.

"I don't want a gay touching my ball," complained the boy from the practice match.

"You saw the photo too?"

"Yeah, it was definitely him. I don't want him on my team tomorrow."

"And who would have thought the president swung that way too?" The teammate hugged himself, showing how cringed he was. "That's just fucking gross."

Mark stood near the entrance of the changing room, having heard enough. They could talk about him however they wanted, but Donghyck was off the table. Suddenly, the boy who had spoken ill about his boyfriend collapsed onto the floor, crying in pain—Mark had just punched him.

"What the fuck are you doing?" the boy cried out in anger.

"...another word about him and I will break your legs" Mark hissed at his teammate, fuming.

"Wha? I'll say whatever I want! He is disgusting, and so are you! So go fuck yourself!" the boy spat. Mark, fueled by a surge of pent-up anger from this morning, lost control and lunged at the boy, unleashing the frustration he had been harboring.

~~

A.N. 

RIP to that kid. Let us join hands and pray for him. 🤲🏼🙏🏼