Natural Beauty? (NCT MARK LEE)

P R O L O G U E

Lina was cold. She shivered underneath her thin clothes but let the coldness wash over her, and her hands rested at her side. She quietly walked to her apartment in the dark, and opened the door after climbing a flight of stairs to reach it. She softly closed the door and locked it before dropping to the ground and curling up into a ball, sobbing inaudibly, making sure her neighbors wouldn't hear her.
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"Mark, you do know that you can leave, right? It's already two in the morning," the owner of the small convenience store said to his newest employee, Mark Lee, with a warm smile on his face. He was worried that he would fall sick or miss any job interviews that the young adult had later in the day. It wasn't very ideal for him to lose his best employee, but it wasn't good for Mark to continue working at a convenience store for the rest of his life, thinking that he had graduated from his college only a year ago.

"No, it's honestly fine, I don't have anything later today," Mark said, returning his smile.

"Still, you should go home and get some well needed sleep, you've been taking the night shift for the entire week," the owner said, noticing Mark's bags and red eyes.

Mark couldn't deny that he hadn't slept in a while. He didn't mind it though, it wasn't like his family ever bothered to go and see him. He usually spent his days eating ramen and binge watching shows with his best friends, the Dreamies. He honestly used to think the name was stupid, but he had grown to love the name after realizing that only they could be the Dreamies, even with others in their lives.

"I'll give you two weeks off, paid vacation, at no extra cost for you," the owner proclaimed, getting a shocked expression from Mark. "Oh come on! You barely have any fun. When I was your age, I was getting drunk and laid every night!" he said with a wink at the flustered male.

Way to much information! Mark thought, after shying away from the old mans gaze. Either way, he opened his mouth to protest against his vacation, but he was stopped after seeing the stern gaze the owner had fixed on him.

"Uh, sure? I mean, I don't have to take a paid vacation if you don't want me too!" he quickly added, not wanting to seem rude for saying yes immediately.

"Mark, I want you to take this break. I'm the one proposing it to you." the owner replied, amusement in his eyes. "Now, hurry up and get out of here. You shouldn't be here in about 10 minutes." The owner walked away to the back of the store to get settled in his office.

Mark had taken off after watching his boss leave, and went to grab his stuff and snatch his light jacket. He fumbled with his locker, cursing under his breath, wanting to get out of the cramped room. He finally opened the small but troublesome door and grabbed his keys and wallet. He ran back to the cashier and picked up his cold coffee in his mug, taking a sip before stepping outside and breathing in the brisk air of fall. A small smile appeared on Mark's face, and he headed towards his apartment.

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This is my first fanfiction that I have decided to publish, if that wasn't clear from the way I wrote this. I probably suck at writing and I should go back to the hole that I came from but this probably won't even get any reads and that just boasts my confidence so much higher than it should. But nevertheless, if you are reading this, I hope your having a good day (or night, I don't judge) and hope you enjoy this story and odd ride ahead. Oh and does Mark even like coffee??

--jaye