SMILE | NCT Markhyuck

14

"I'm home." After what felt like one unfortunate event after another, Donghyuck was glad to be home. He felt so tired, both physically and emotionally. "I've bought the stuff you asked for, Mum."

"Hyuckie," his mum called out from the kitchen. Even without asking, he could feel the tension thick in the air. She stood by the countertop, not turning away from her task, her voice carrying a coldness that sent shivers down his spine. "I received a call from your school today."

Donghyuck grounded the heels of his feet, his breath hitching from the sudden shock.

"...You didn't do anything silly, did you?" His mother continued, maintaining her emotionless tone. 

" 'Anything foolish,' ahaha, what are you saying?" Donghyuck pretended not to understand, attempting to restore a semblance of normalcy. He knew exactly what she was alluding to.

He observed her cold back, still engrossed in her cutting. Placing the bag of groceries on the dining table, Donghyuck took a deep breath. The last thing he wanted was for his voice to betray him.

"The groceries are on the table." He smiled, regardless of whether she could see it or not. "I'm heading back to my room."

"Lee Donghyuck." Her voice turned stern. She only used his real name when he was in trouble. Terrified, Donghyuck froze, mentally praying to see the sun again tomorrow. "You have always been a good son. Don't do anything to make us worry. Mum believes in you." She spoke without turning back.

"Mhm... I'll help out with dinner after I get changed."

✨✨✨

It was a new day, but the weight of Donghyuck's recent conversation with his mother lingered heavily in his mind. The lack of support from his family and the absence of Mark left him feeling profoundly isolated.

Seated at the end of the student council table, the room buzzed with chatter among the students.

"Everyone, please be seated. The meeting is starting now," Donghyuck, concealing the bruises on his heart, spoke confidently and calmly to his fellow council members. "Please take a look at the printouts; here's the topic for today's discussion-"

"Please hold on!" A member stood up, anger evident in his eyes.

"...Vice president, what is it?" Another member questioned.

"Before we start the meeting, don't we have something more important to discuss?"

"What is it?" Donghyuck timidly inquired.

"You should know better than anyone else, president!" The vice president turned to Donghyuck, who sat frozen in his seat. "Rumors of you engaging in an immoral relationship have been circulating among the students! To add on, that 'friend' of yours caused quite a ruckus the other day. This has affected the reputation of the student council." As the vice president spoke, no one stood up in Donghyuck's defense, just as he expected.

"Ah... I see," Donghyuck managed to say. Rising from his seat, the disheartened boy hung his head low, trying hard to contain his emotions.

"Therefore, I suggest we elect a new student council president. Also, the expulsion of Lee Donghyuck from the student council." The vice president declared as he raised his right hand. "All who agree, please raise your hand."

Donghyuck watched his trusted members, the people he believed were his friends, the ones who would admire him in their presence, turn their backs on him. One by one, they raised their hands, yet Donghyuck took it all with a smile. He refused to show any of them the reaction they probably wanted. As cheerfully as he could be, he walked over to the vice president and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"I'll leave everything to you; do your best, okay? I'll excuse myself then." He smiled.

His departure didn't satisfy them enough. "Wait a minute."

Donghyuck halted at the command, breathing in, readying himself for whatever was to come next.

"Are you going to just walk away after all the problems you've caused?" The vice president spat out in spite, crossing his arms. "Don't you think you have something else you need to say?"

'Ah, I see,' Donghyuck thought to himself. Although he wished for this to never happen, he understood he couldn't escape his fate. "Ah, where are my manners?" He smiled desperately as he bowed to his fellow peers. "I'm very sorry about everything."

✨✨✨

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the schoolyard as Donghyuck found himself at the drinking fountain during the third period. Beads of sweat adorned his forehead as he stood straight, contemplating the persistent red marker stains on his gym shirt. "Hmm, it looks like it won't go away easily," he muttered to himself.

"Dongyhuck?" called out a teacher.

"Ahh, good day, sir." 

"What are you doing here? Your class should be having P.E. now-" The teacher suddenly halted, eyes fixated on Donghyuck's soaked shirt, where the bold letters 'faggot' stood out prominently.

"I'm sorry, I accidentally dirtied my shirt," the tan boy chuckled, attempting to brush off the humiliation. The teacher understood the situation but chose to turn a blind eye.

"I see. This is all your doing; try to reflect on yourself," the teacher spoke nonchalantly as he walked away.

The evidence before him solidified Donghyuck's understanding of his position in the school's social hierarchy. Hurt permeated his aching heart. At this juncture, it felt like everyone was against him, and the realization that he couldn't do much about it fueled his anger. "Yes, sir," he mumbled, forcing a smile.

'Maybe I should just leave early today.' Donghyuck pondered, turning away from the drinking fountain. The weight of isolation and mistreatment bore down on his shoulders, making the remainder of the school day seem unbearable.