𝗯𝗮𝗯𝘆𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 | 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗹𝗲𝗲

𝔰𝔲𝔯𝔭𝔯𝔦𝔰𝔢𝔰

"mark come here please." hana said as she put her phone on the nightstand beside their bed as mark came out of the bathroom from his shower dressed in a white tshirt and some basketball shorts.

"what's up hana?" mark asked as he shook his head around trying to dry his hair quicker and sitting in front of hana on the bed.

"i need to tell you something, but i hope you know that i'm telling you because i believe you have the right to know what's going on. i mean if you don't want to know about it, you can stop me at any moment and we can just go sle-" hana rambled trying to stall from talking about what she had to.

"hana, you're rambling. don't worry, i'm here to listen. we can talk all night if we have to. so what's up?" mark said as he covered hana and him with the blanket before diverting his attention to her again.

"this may sound really stupid, but i'll try not to take too much of your time. long story short, i got officially diagnosed with anxiety in the beginning of high school. it began to get severe considering i didn't have a set support system or friends to go to. i was more of a loner that was very invested in her academics and performing arts. my parents were busy trying to provide for me and the expenses that came with attending SOPA. i had to work throughout high school working at connivence stores, doing people's homework in return for cash, i did alot to make sure that my parents didn't have to worry about me and my needs. i paid for my own school supplies, uniforms, training gear, and lots more. with everything, i was juggling, i was determined to become an idol in hopes of alleviating the financial issues my parents had. taking out student loans for me, feeding and clothing me everyday. after i became an idol, my anxiety minimized. i guess the relieving thing to admit is, i think it was because of you guys that my anxiety is gone." hana began choking up feeling tears well up as she tried her best to silently cry to not bother the others in the nearby rooms. mark listened as the girl continued opening up about her past, expressing it out loud for him to hear. at first he felt honored at the fact that she was willing to open up, but then he felt a sense of guilt knowing what triggered her to start bringing this up. he felt disappointment in his chest. knowing that he couldn't protect her when he promised himself he would.

"i'm immensely grateful that i was able to feel and enjoy live without having to worry about working and doing things i disliked for cash. i started doing what i truly love which is making music, performing, and especially being around people who continuously love and support me. i noticed that although my anxiety is gone, i still find myself highly sensitive to people's comment. i guess maybe more than i should be? it's inevitable to get haters and people who will criticize you, right? but i just want to ensure that my anxiety isn't arising or gonna get severe any time soon." hana spoke softly with bloodshot eyes while playing around with the hem of her graphic tee that she stole from mark's closet. she struggled with her inner self debating whether she should ask or not. the feeling of doubt bubbled in her stomach as she fought with her flooding thoughts to say it. yet she couldn't. she felt conflicted.

"do you want me to accompany you to your appointment?" mark said tiredly as he reached forward to grab hana's hand and gently squeezing it to give her a sense of reassurance and acceptance.

"h-how did you know i was gonna ask?" hana shockingly replied surprised at the fact he knew.

"your mom texted me a location and your doctor's info. i texted doctor dahyun on behave of you and set you up as her first appointment of the morning. i chose 7:00am. i'll drive us there, we should arrive around 7:30am, before heading inside the doctor's office, we can go across the street for some coffee and breakfast. your appointment is at 8:15am. i believe your schedule doesn't start until 10:00am. i told taeyong to tell irene so she knows you didn't disappear." mark eloquently spoke quiet proud of himself that he took initative and wasn't afraid for once in his life when it came to hana. hana felt tears welling up in her eyes again as she hugged mark quickly muttering small thank you's as he smiled and hugged her back.

"know that, i'll always be here. i'll be your support system, along with all the boys and the girls. we all love and appreciate you. don't worry hana. you're a strong, beautiful, talented, hard-working girl. you'll get through this. and you'll never be alone throughout your journey." mark whispered gently into her ear while they stayed in their comfortable hugging position.

"i won't be alone?" hana questioned after hearing mark.

"you won't. because i'm here. and i'm not going anywhere." mark admitted as he began pulling away from hana and impulsively decided at that exact moment, as he gently grabbed hana's face and placing a delicate kiss on her forehead.

"thank you mark. i love you." hana said as she snuggled closer to mark making them lay down on the bed together. unaware of the deep words that slipt through her mouth, she felt sleep slowly overcome her body, and yet, right before her eyes shut, she heard the young boy beside her tiredly mutter back to her.

"i love you too." mark said as they both fell asleep, unaware of such meaningful words they said to each other. it was almost as if faith thought it would be better for both of them to talk until 1 am in the morning allowing their sleepiness to admit their true feelings. little did the two realize, they were already emotionally intertwined, and they wouldn't realize that they've already established their liking for one another, because of their overbearing sleep. who knows, what the future holds. one thing that's for sure, is they've found home within one another and they both undeniably felt it.

a/n: yo everyone! i'm kinda getting in the groove of posting every three-four days! get ready for that! i hope you like the chapters thus far! we are nearing the end :( i don't have a set ending ready for this book, i am letting my creativity flow as i right each chapter, but know that i have many more book ideas coming up, so no worries :)