NEIGHBORS.MARK

fifteen

As Lucas entered his and Mark's apartment, he was shocked to see his now MIA roommate sitting on their couch. Mark was on his phone, but upon Lucas unlocking the door, he looked up and shoved the phone away.

"Is Ava here?" Lucas asked as he took off his shoes and continued to place his backpack on the kitchen counter. It was a Friday, so Lucas' mind was set on anything but school.

"No, she's at her place. I told her I wanted to hang out with you today. You know, like a little bro bonding moment." Mark explained as Lucas opened the fridge and grabbed a small can of cola.

"Don't ever say bro bonding moment ever again. Like ever."

"Noted." Mark commented as Lucas took a sip and shrugged his shoulders, "We don't have to if you don't want to. I was just thinking we could maybe go shopping, or to the river. Anything really."

Lucas went silent for a minute and then rolled his eyes, "Fuck Mark. I hate that I genuinely like your company."

"Thanks man, I like-" Mark started before Lucas cut him off.

"I'm meeting up with a few of my friends today, but they'd really like you. If you're down to hang out with a whole bunch of Chinese kids, then you should tag along. If not, I'll tell them I'll have to reschedule."

"No, no. I'd love to hang out with a whole bunch of Chinese kids." Mark explained, mimicking the way Lucas had said it.

"Good, lets go wherever you need to and I'll tell them to meet us there."

"Perfect."

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Upon arriving to the shopping area and seeing the bustling life around them, Mark realized just how much he missed just hanging out. Just hanging out with friends. Not some intergalactic fucking weirdo who he happened to be falling in love with. Lucas and Mark has walked to a bench as were waiting for Lucas' friends to arrive. As they waited, Mark watched as the people around him enjoyed their times and carried their separate conversations, a wave of sonder struck him as he gazed around.

With Mark's high school experience, especially with Donghyuck and his disruptions to his life, he was well acquainted with the idea of sonder and that every person around him is living a unique situation of their own. It was comforting to know everyone was going through life, just as confused as the next. With that being said, Mark was brought back to reality as Lucas got up and pointed to a group of six guys walking towards them. He quickly greeted them in their native language and mingled for a minute before turning around and introducing Mark to the group. Then the boys individually introduced themselves.

"I'm Kun, it's nice to meet you." A well spoken one commented as he gave a smile to Mark.

"I'm Dejun!" The next smiled as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Yangyang, whats up!" The youngest introduced himself. He automatically reminded him of his best friends back home.

"I'm Dong Sicheng, you know?" The boy spoke in English as one of the boys next to him interjected.

"He's practicing his English," he explained as Mark started laughing and reassured him that his English was good, "Anyway, I'm Guanheng, but a lot of people call me Hendery."

"Literally no one calls you that." Lucas joked as Hendery rolled his eyes.

"You make everyone call you Lucas even though that's fully not your name." Hendery pressed as Lucas nodded his head, "That's true."

Mark looked at the last boy who rolled his eyes upon his gaze, "Mark, you absolute dumbass. It's me, Ten... remember? Doyoung and I were seniors when you were a freshman..."

Mark looked at him a second longer as it processed and reacted wildly once he remembered, "Oh my god, no way man. That's wild."

They laughed at the situation and Ten and Mark automatically gravitated towards each other as they caught up. As they began to walk around, it was decided they'd get some food then begin looking around.

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After eating a nice dinner by the river and looking around for clothes and such, Mark was reminded that Ava's birthday was coming up and that he needed a present for her. He quickly asked Lucas if they could head to a jewelry store in which Iucas told his friends and they all started making fun of him.

"Awe are you in love Markie boy?" Ten asked as he threw his arm around Mark's neck and made fun of him.

"I think he is," Lucas interjected, "But they haven't said I love you yet."

The boys are out their hands over their mouths and acted shocked. Mark got embarrassed and smacked his cheeks while telling them to stop. They laughed loudly and walked around a jewelry store they entered that was near by.

As Mark looked at the necklaces, Hendery helped him and explained he was a ladies' man and knew exactly what they liked. Mark thought its was funny but still let him help. They looked at all sorts of necklaces and bracelets and Mark was quickly captivated by a heart shaped pendant that was covered in small tiny diamonds. Hendery quickly saw it too and asked the lady if they could take a closer look at it.

After examining it and it's details, Mark asked how much it was and was shocked to hear it was rather cheap for how beautiful it was. After showing it to the other boys and getting their approval, Mark purchased it and left with it snug in a small box that he'd give Ava for her birthday.

To end off the night the boys went back outside and purchased some sweets that they ate while looking out at the beauty of the city around them.

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Hey guys!! I hope you all liked this chapter!! I thought introducing the WayV boys would be fun!!!

-Mames