In love with the way you lie

Chapter 11: Unrequited love

Jinyoung yawned and laid his head on his law books. He was busy scouring the pages but he really couldn't afford to take a break. He was skipping meals and he spends so much time studying that the library felt like his second home. It's not like he was obsessed with doing well. He had to do well. For his parents' sake. 

"Take a break Jinyoung. You are overdoing it." Mark looked at the sleepy Jinyoung with concern. "Here, eat something" Mark handed the sandwich to him. Jinyoung lifted his head and smiled at Mark. "Oh Mark hyung you are here...thanks I forgot what time I last ate..." He took a glance at the clock and yelped. "Oh shit I am late" He quickly got up and packed. He swiftly shoved the books into his bag. Mark was bewildered. "Why are you in such a hurry? Where are you going off to?" Jinyoung grabbed the sandwich from Mark and gave him a hug. "It's just some meeting I have...don't wait for me. See you and thanks for the sandwich!" With that, Jinyoung ran up the stairs and out of the library. 

Jinyoung knocked on the door and opened it. "Why are you here again?" Jaebum asked as he looked up from the book in his hands. He had been looking at the time. He is late. Is he finally sick of visiting me? That was when he heard the knock, he quickly grabbed the book lying on his side table. He didn't want Jinyoung to think that he was expecting him. Jaebum pretended that he didn't like Jinyoung's company but Jinyoung took no offence to his initial rejections and still decided to show up anyways. Jinyoung doesn't know why he is doing this but he knows that he is genuinely concerned about Jaebum. Jaebum may look intimidating and his background was complicated but for some reason, he wasn't scared of him. Even if he is some gang leader, to him, he is just dumb and clumsy Jaebum. At first, he admitted that the only reason he interacted with Jaebum was because of Mark. But now, he felt like he wanted to be friends with Jaebum for real. They had nothing much in common yet they still clicked together. With him, he didn't need to put up any pretence. Jinyoung munched his sandwich as he chats happily with Jaebum. He felt relaxed and it was his way of distressing. Before he knows it, the visit was over. 

And Jinyoung would head back home to continue his revision. Jinyoung knew that splitting his time between running to the hospital and attending classes and his other duties is difficult but it was still possible. Oh, and there is time blocked out to hang out with Mark his new boyfriend. It still feels strange to call Mark his boyfriend.

"Jinyoungie, stop studying! Finals aren't even coming soon!" Mark says as he put away his books. Jinyoung protested but finally listened to Mark. "Okay wait here, I will put these back." As Jinyoung was placing the last of his reference book back on the shelf, Mark suddenly crept up to him and it caught him by surprise. "Here, you forgot this one." Mark tiptoed as he reached to place one of the books onto the topmost shelf. Mark withdrew his hand and suddenly Jinyoung was aware of how close Mark's face was. Neither of them moved. They kept staring at each other. Jinyoung lets out a nervous laugh. He knew that Mark and he just started to get closer but something like that was bound to happen. Though he didn't think it would be so soon. Mark leaned in and brushed his lips against his. Jinyoung closed his eyes as Mark cupped his face and deepened the kiss. He lets him. Mark was slowly pushing him against the shelf and the kiss broke when the back of his head hit the shelf. Jinyoung's eyes shot open and he groaned in pain. Mark stopped kissing him and removed his hand from his face. "Sorry, I was too rough. Is your head fine?" Jinyoung rubbed the back of his head and sheepishly said it was alright. Mark kissed his forehead and then his phone started ringing. Mark excused himself to answer it. He felt embarrassed that his first kiss with Mark ended that way. Jinyoung went back to his table and started packing up. He suddenly remembered that Jaebum was going to be discharged today. Oh right, Jaebum is leaving the hospital today, I wonder if he is back... Should I go and find him?  As he saw Mark walking down the stairs, Jinyoung changed his mind. "Nevermind. I am sure Jaebum would rather hang out with others, it's not like he enjoys my company." Jinyoung thought back to the times he visited him when Jaebum would repeatedly ask him why he kept coming to visit him. It seemed like he didn't really want him to visit and that he was just being friendly with him because he saved his life. Does Jaebum still dislike him?