With urgency, Donghyuck forces his best friend to drive him back to his dorm. Chenle, being the best friend he is, does the task without question or complain. However, when he dropped off his shorter best friend, the Engineer student makes Donghyuck promise to keep him updated, especially if it has to do with anything relationship-related. Donghyuck pinky-promised and crossed his heart before running toward the dorm in a rush. Just as Chenle pulled out of the parking lot, Mark's car rolled into the parking lot. The sophomore saw Donghyuck got out of Chenle's car and immediately ask his Donghyuck about it as he got out of the car. 

"Who was that?" Mark glared at the leaving white four-doors, which looks just as expensive as his shiny black sports car. "Why aren't you answering me?"

"It's Chenle..."

"Where did you guys go?"

"...The Medicine Department..." Donghyuck felt small under Mark's intense gaze. It felt like the time his mother put him on time-out when he threw a tantrum. "Well... Chenle wanted to see Renjun. He just needs someone to tag along. I just happen to see you as well. Do you always play on your phone during class?"

Donghyuck tried his best to detour the conversation. He looked everywhere except Mark's handsome face because he's scared of the emotion it might hold. However, he doesn't know that Mark is melting on the inside. The sophomore is gleefully happy because his Donghyuck sneaked into his department to see him. Although his face doesn't show it well, Mark was glad that his initial thoughts when he saw Donghyuck coming out of Chenle's car weren't true.

"I saw your scary professor as well," Donghyuck continued to rant on. "Did you get in trouble?"

"Yes, will you compensate for my punishment?"

"Why should I?"

"Why? Because you are the reason why I couldn't focus at all in class. All I've been thinking about is you. You made me call you."

"No way. I didn't force you to do anything," Donghyuck couldn't help but smile a little, seeing Mark being playful and flirty.

"You made me miss you so much," Mark leaned forward to have his face closer to his Donghyuck. 

"What a flirt!" The freshman commented quietly. His inside is doing all the acrobatic tricks from the way Mark is talking to him. 

"What? I'm being serious," The older male sighed and took Donghyuck's bag. "What do you want to eat? I'll buy it for you."

"Really? You must have a lot of time on your hand."

"I'm a medical student, of course, I don't have much time," Mark leaned in closer so that his mouth is right near Donghyuck's ear. "But I want to spoil you."

Donghyuck turned a bit red but he knew he could lose at this flirty moment so he manned up and lean forward. "Fine, I'll make you work for me. I want foods from my faculty's cafeteria."

"Let's go then."

The Biology's department cafeteria is a mix of popular eateries so the students and staffs have options. Donghyuck picked this location because it's a little out of the way for Mark but not so much that the sophomore would be late to his class. When they arrive there, it was obvious that Mark never came to the cafeteria before. He looked around and some of the students passing by also look and point at him. Donghyuck was being cheeky by asking to come to the cafeteria but this was also his first time here.

"What do you like to eat here?" Mark asked as they search around for an empty table.

"I don't know," Donghyuck answered. "It's my first time here."

"I need to know since I'm gonna be here more often."

 "Why? Come to flirt with the female students?" The freshman mentality gave himself a point for outsmarting Mark in their flirting.

"More like flirting with the male rep of the Biology Department," Mark confidently replied. The freshman took the point off since he did set himself up for that one.

"Go go go, let get something to eat," The shorter male pushed the older male toward the food stalls. "I'll get the drinks."

The two of them separated to go get the foods and drinks. Donghyuck found an empty table after he got the drinks so he immediately snatches it. He didn't wait for long before Mark shows up with two boxes of food. The freshman slid the coffee toward Mark while keeping the pink milk for himself. After seeing the pink milk, the older male only rolled his eyes at Donghyuck's obsession and placed one of the boxes in front of the freshman. 

"I saw a lot of people ordering this at the stall so it must be good," Mark commented as they open the boxes up. After the first bite of the chicken, Mark could tell why it's popular. "This is good. I know what I'm gonna eat when I'm around this part of the campus."

"You sure you gonna be here often?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

"But your classes are far away."

"That's what a car is for."

"But your breaks are short."

"I have to use the time worthwhile then," Mark replied so casually that it felt like he was anticipating the comments from Donghyuck already. Unsurprisingly, Donghyuck didn't know how to respond to that. "Hyuckkie, you know full well that I'm gonna spend a lot of my time with you so get used to it. I have to keep an eye on you since you have a lot of suitors."

"Liar... You're just messing with me."

"I'm serious about this. Not many girls, but a lot of guys have their eyes out for you and I can't have that. I'm the only one allowed to look at you in a certain way," After Mark indirectly announced his jealousy, the two of them ate in silent because either of them knew how to follow up on that statement. It wasn't long before Mark looks over to Donghyuck to see the tiny grain of rice on the freshman's lips, which he wiped away with his thumb. "Such a messy eater. Now that I look at it, you got a small mouth, which contrasts with how vocal you are."

"Dad said I got it from my mom," Donghyuck answered. 

"Make sense," Mark took another bite of the chicken. "If you look like your dad, then you would be a little manlier."

"Have you seen my dad before?"

"He's all over the Internet and news outlets. The billionaire that owns a company that imports parts for automobiles. And very protective of his son."

"I am the only child so it makes sense he's a little protective."

"By the way, where do you want me to drop you off?"

"Oh, that's ok. I can walk from here."

"You really don't want me to drop you off?" Mark is being a little selfish on his part. It's not that he wants to drop Donghyuck off that badly but he wants to spend more time with the freshman. If this count as being selfish, then Mark would glad said that he's a selfish person.

On the other hand, Donghyuck has a good reason as to not have Mark drop him off. The thirsty girls and guys at his department would surely scream and crowd around the handsome sophomore once they step into the perimeter. Donghyuck doesn't have the energy, especially after eating, to fight off dozen-plus students for Mark's space. "I forbid you to drop me off."

Mark turned his head to look at Donghyuck with an eyebrow raised. "You're forbidding me?"

Donghyuck realized the tone he used but it was too late to take it back now. He went with it. Yeah."

"Well, I think it'll be good if I get to know your friends," The sophomore smirked. "Maybe they'll get me the information I need."

"I forbade you already," The freshman replied sternly, which made him look even more adorable in Mark's mind. "You already know Chenle and you have no idea what my other friends are like."

"Cruel..."

"This is nothing..."

"But you can be as cruel as you want. I would still adore you."

"Better remember that phrase because it will come back to bite you."

"Don't be ."

After lunch, Mark got class and Donghyuck had to go to the rehearsal for the competition. The sophomore did try to drop his Donghyuck off but the freshman ran away before the car was even started. When Donghyuck arrives at the rehearsal area, he saw Yeri scrolling through her phone. She waved him over excitedly so he waddled over to his rep partner. 

"The photos and videos from the beach have been uploaded," Yeri told him. "Your friend, Chenle, got so many likes. I think he's ahead of everyone."

"What about me?" 

"Let see... You got over three thousand likes, which is like third place. That's pretty good," The female freshman saw Donghyuck's slightly sadden face and quickly added on. "But they don't count the likes. It really the votes at the competitions that count. No worries. Besides, most of your votes are from students, which means you got a good reputation in school."

"Thanks, Yeri," Donghyuck felt better hearing her explanation. Just as he set his bag down on the table, his phone rang and Mark's name popped up on the caller ID. Donghyuck excused himself from Yeri before picking up the call. "Are you in class?"

"Don't worry about it," Mark laughed. "Listen, are you gonna go practice the piano today?"

"Maybe..."

"I'll pick you up after your practice, ok?"

"Ok, it ends at 8 pm."

"Got it, my lab also ends at 8 so it's perfect."

"Go back to class!"
 

"Ok, miss you..."

Donghyuck inhaled sharply hearing that. It wasn't the "I love you" phrase but it had the similar effect nonetheless. The freshman didn't know how to answer that since he didn't know if he should say it back or hang up out of embarrassment.

"Aren't you gonna say it back?" Mark's voice shocked Donghyuck out of his fanboy state.

"No..."

"Say it! I'm not hanging up until you do. If I miss class for much longer, the TA will notice and my grade will go down and-"

"Ok, I miss you too."

"Cute... Wait for me later, ok?"

"Ok, bye..."

"Bye..."

When he was sure the phone has been hung up, Donghyuck screeched loudly but with his mouth closed. Most of the people who past by him looked at him weird but Chenle kinda has an idea why his best friend sounds like dying whale. The engineering student just smirked and rolled his eyes as he dragged an excited Donghyuck into the rehearsal room. 

Like usual, the rehearsal included dancing, walking a runway, and introducing themselves to an audience. Of course, it was exhausting for everyone but they tried their best because this was one of the last rehearsal they got before the competition. Whan the staffs wrapped up the rehearsal, everyone cheered in response. The competition is in two days and head staff recommended that all the reps should practice their talents for the talent shows. Donghyuck is pretty deadset on playing the piano so that what he's gonna do after rehearsal. 

"I'm gonna go box at the gym for a bit," Chenle told his best friend. "Is Mark gonna pick you up?"

"Yeah," Donghyuck answered happily.

The engineering student looked around for a bit but couldn't find the sophomore so he turned back to his friend. "Do you want me to wait with you?"

"No worries, he'll be here soon."

One by one, the reps left. Donghyuck helps the staffs clean up since he's staying behind but when the staffs thank him and left, Donghyuck still finds himself waiting for Mark to pick him up. He sat by the steps entrance of the building next to the parking lot by himself. Luckily, the lights so he wasn't in the dark. Donghyuck called Mark a couple of times but the call goes straight to voicemail. He gave up after the third tries and opted to stare at his watch. 

"Donghyuck..."

The said boy's heart jumped at his name being called. However, when he turned around, the person who called him turned out to be Jeno, the kind engineering sophomore. "Jeno hyung, hi."

"Have you turned into a ghost and guard this place now?"The second-year joked and sat down on the steps next to Donghyuck. "It's already late... Whatever you're waiting for probably won't show up. Come on, I'll drive you home."

"It's ok hyung," Donghyuck still has faith in Mark and that the sophomore will show up. "You can go ahead."

"Donghyuck, who are you waiting for?" 

The freshman couldn't answer. If he did, it would mean he's admitting that Mark is late. He also knew Jeno worries about him enough to be mad at Mark for being late so it's best to keep the information to himself. 

"It's fine if you don't want to tell me but I'm staying here until that person picks you up," Jeno added on after the freshman didn't answer. 

"It's really ok, hyung. I'm fine."

"It is definitely not ok. Even if you are a guy, being alone in the dark is dangerous."

Donghyuck looks around. Besides where he's at, there's a couple of windows that are lit up from other late-night staffs or students. "I'll be fine, hyung."

"Sssh! I'm staying and that's final. If I leave and you get kidnapped, how do you think I would feel?"

"You're funny. Who would kidnap me?"

"You'll never know. It might be me..."

"You're kidding..."

"Try me... I'm kidding. My scary would be brave enough to do that kind of thing."

"I think you can do it if you set your mind to it."

"You dad would probably hunt me down and castrate me."

"No need to wait for my dad," Donghyuck held up his fingers. "I will do it myself. Snip them right off."

"Scary," Jeno commented mockingly.

"I can be scary if I want to."

The engineering student held the fingers in his larger hand. "You about as scary as a bunny."

Just before anything gets heated, the sound of the roaring engine filled the quiet darkness. A pair of headlights arrives at the parking lot. Mark quickly jumped out of the car after parking right in front of the building. His hair is a little messy and the white shirt is a bit wrinkled. Donghyuck felt a little happy seeing how exhausted Mark was because it is shown that he knew he's late. However, he didn't expect how Jeno would react.

"This is the guy you're waiting for?" Jeno scoffed as he got up.

Mark ignored Jeno's glare and apologized to Donghyuck immediately. "Sorry Donghyuck, the class ran later than I thought and my phone dies. Renjun and Jaemin weren't in the same lab so I couldn't borrow theirs."

"It's ok, Mark," Donghyuck smile weakly. He's wouldn't lie and say he's not tired from waiting.

"It's absolutely not ok," Jeno interrupted. The freshman felt clustered by the way the two sophomores stare down each other.

"What's your problem?" Mark started.

"My problem is you keeping Donghyuck waiting this long," The engineering student replied with the same level of intensity. "He was all alone until I arrived. who knew what would happen? You could have at least contact him."

"I've tried. What would you have done?"

"Not be late would a start. I'll let it go this time," Jeno's gaze softens when they fell on Donghyuck. "If you're not gonna treat him right, someone else will."

Although Donghyuck was oblivious of the underline meaning of Jeno's words, Mark understands it clearly. Between the two sophomores, there's an unspoken competition for Donghyuck's affection. Jeno may have taken the loss a while ago, but it doesn't mean he won't watch over Donghyuck and criticized every wrong action of Mark. The medical student knows this well too. He knows that if he slips up, Donghyuck would fall out of his grasp and possibly lose the freshman to someone near him. 

When Jeno left, Donghyuck nervously pulls Mark toward the shiny black car. "Mark, I'm not mad so you don't have to be sad."

"I know you're not mad at me," The sophomore offered a small smile. "But I'm mad at myself. Jeno is right. I should have tried harder to contact you to at least make sure you are ok."

"Don't worry about it. Let go. I want to practice the piano."

"Are you sure? It's a little late."

"I need to scrape the rust off of my piano skill."

Did you watch the trailer yet? We need the "Love by Chance" series really badly. Go to the previous chapter if you haven't. That aside, I had a little trouble naming this chapter but I notice the common theme among the characters in this chapter. Donghyuck, Mark, and Jeno all shown a selfish side to their character. Well, the original characters did, I just renamed them to Seventeen members lol.

Anyway, one of the things I like about "2moons the series" is that they gave depth to the characters and made seem more realistic. In reality, everyone is selfish in some way when it comes to relationships. I enjoy seeing that in shows and reading it in books. I'm not a psychology major but I sure love the mind games.

FIGHTING!!!