Donghyuck had a great time at the sushi place. The foods were great but the company was better. For once, he and Mark get along and neither of them was bickering over stupid things. Mark even feeds Donghyuck. At the same time, Donghyuck is also having a fun time with Jeno. The older boy was great at making Donghyuck comfortable while they eat at the hot pot place down the street from the university. The two of them cheer and click their drink together. 

Maybe it's time to wake up from the wondrous dream. Donghyuck sighed to himself as he snapped out of dreamland and find himself back to reality. 

"What's wrong?" Chenle asked with a knowing smile on his pretty face. "Can't figure out how to cut yourself in two?"

"Why do I have to cut myself into two?" 

"So you can go on both dates," Chenle laughed. "Words of advice, don't cut yourself top and bottom. The sophomores will fight over to / part."

"I hope you hear that cricket chirping," Donghyuck sassed back. "Your joke keeps getting drier and drier. The little mermaid is turning into a land shark because of you."

"I just don't like seeing you bummed out," The Chinese boy shoulder bumped his best friend.

"I'm not bummed out," The Korean disagreed.

"Yeah right! There's nothing to feel bummed out about. Ok. Ok," Sarcasm is literally dripping out of Chenle's words. "Splitting your heart in two for those hotties must be tearing you apart."

Doghyuck just rolled his eyes and slumped down on the bench the two were sitting on. Honestly, he felt really stupid for not thinking ahead. Now, Donghyuck has to figure out a way to get out of this predicament. On one hand, Jeno asked him first and the older helped him out earlier today. It would be a slap in the face if Donghyuck doesn't take Jeno out to dinner, especially since he promised him. On the other hand, Donghyuck has been crushing on Mark for so long. This might be the chance he had been waiting for his whole love life. 

"Just follow your heart," Chenle's voice snapped Donghyuck out of his thoughts. "There should be a right answer for every problem."

"I promised Jeno hyung," Donghyuck answered.

"What's Jeno hyung's real intention?" The Chinese male smirked and let his thoughts verbalized. "What's he trying to do with my best friends? That Jeno."

"Hyung is really nice. If it wasn't for him, I would give up a long time ago." The Korean defended. Chenle gave an are-you-serious face. "But you're right. I have not idea what he wants. Although he's really mysterious, his insights and advice are always spot on."

", Donghyuck!" Chenle's expression changed into a serious face.

"What?"

"Don't be a playboy!"

"Shut up!" Donghyuck sent a flying slap but Chenle dodged it expertly.

"It's you," The best friend exclaimed. "You boasted about loving Mark but here you are, looking extremely fascinated by Jeno. Playboy!"

"What are you saying!" 

"What are you guys chatting about?" Jeno asked coolly as he walked up to the freshman in the training area.

"Oh! Jeno hyung, hello!" Donghyuck quickly greeted the sophomore, so does Chenle.

"You guys must be the reason why training got delayed," Jeno sipped on the soda can in his hand. 

"It's not us hyung. The dances and instructions are hard to learn," Chenle replied.

"Which part is hard, Chenle?" The sophomore scowled. "Even a low IQ person like me can easily pick it up."

"Oh," Donghyuck spoke up. "If you're low IQ, we're definitely morons."

"Hyung, I've been told that you're gonna go eat with Donghyuck," Chenle smiled. "Can I come?"

Jeno paused for a bit before answering."Why not? The more the merrier."

"Thank you," Chenle quickly looked at Donghyuck and gave the shorter freshman a knowing smirk.

"But just us three, I'm not used to eat with strangers."

"Sir yes, sir."

"Alright, good luck with training. I'll pick you guys up afterward."

"Hyung, you don't need to wait on us," Donghyuck suddenly spoke up after staring at Jeno for so long. 

"It's my choice," Jeno waved to the two of them. "Gotta go."

Chenle waited until the sophomore was completely out of sight and turned to his best friend. "I think Jeno hyung liked you."

"You're crazy! He doesn't like me."

"We'll see," The Chinese friend pinched Donghyuck's cheek. "How are you gonna handle this?"

"What are you saying?"

"With the other half of your heart?" Chenle looked pass Donghyuck and smirked at the person walking toward them from Donghyuck's behind. "May the force be with you!"

As Chenle booked it out of there, Donghyuck was distracted by Mark, who stood at the bench table. He held a piece of paper in hand and slapped it gently on Donghyuck's face.

"What?" Donghyuck stood up and took the paper from him.

"Look at it yourself," Mark said.

"100% and full score?" Donghyuck read the name on the top of the score list. 

"Yep, full score, 30 out of 30 so sushi?"

"Mark?"

The two male turned to see Wendy walking up to them. She immediately had her attention on Mark, barely minding Donghyuck. "Here you are! Let's go have sushi. Didn't you say you're gonna go eat there? Oh, you're..."

"Donghyuck..."

"Yeah. Thank you for staying up late to give me those papers. They're lifesavers today," Wendy smiled. "You must have gone to bed pretty late. I'll beat Mark up for you. With my fist."

Donghyuck just smiles in response. He tried not to be a little possessive with the way Wendy holding on to Mark's arm. "It's no trouble at all."

"Next time, just slide it under my door. Ok, Mark, let's go."

"Alright," Mark looked back at Donghyuck. "Good luck with your training. Ok, sushi it is."

"Bye..."

Donghyuck just watched as the two perfect pair walked away. Wendy walked really close to Mark and the guy is not even flinching away. They must be pretty close if Mark doesn't care if Wendy held his arm. 

"How close are they. Rumor has it that Wendy is Mark's girlfriend," Chenle whispered into Donghyuck's ear. Leave it to the best friend to appear out of nowhere and provide helpful information. Donghyuck's rep partner, Yeri, also appear.

"Not only is she a rep of the medicine department but she's also the rep of the school," Yeri informed. "In term of popularity, she is Mark's equal."

"Yeah, quite a perfect match," Donghyuck answered sadly.

The sadness carried throughout the training and dance lesson. Although he was able to forget it for a while, it resurfaced when Donghyuck cleaned up to go eat hot pot with Jeno. The sophomore waited for the two freshmen. He also noticed the gloomy aura surrounding Donghyuck.

"Chenle..."

"Yes, hyung?"

"What's the matter with Donghyuck?" 

"He's heartbroken."

"Heartbroken? What happened?"

Chenle leaned closer to Donghyuck rested his head on the shorter boy's mop of hair. "His little puppy forgot about him and when for a female dog."

"You wanna eat another slap?" Donghyuck glared back.

Jeno shook his head and place another piece of meat in Donghyuck's bowl, and another, and another, and another. "Eat more. You're such a tragic lead in a soap opera. Just eat!"

They ate in silent again until Chenle decided to get more information out of Jeno. "Say hyung, do you know Mark's girlfriend?"

Donghyuck tried to kick Chenle under the table but Chenle knew his friend well enough to dodge it. Jeno was completely oblivious of this exchange and answered Chenle's question. "Mark's girlfriend? Who?"

"The girl that always hang around with Mark. The female rep from last year?" Chenle was really asking this for Donghyuck. The Korean freshman acted uninterested but he's listening to every word. 

Jeno thought about it for a bit. "Ooooh, Wendy?"

"I think so."

"You have a crush on her?"

"Hell no. She seems like a girl with high standard. Who would dare?"

"You are quite right. No one dares to pursue her." Hearing this, Donghyuck got more interested and lean a bit closer to listen. Chenle smirked as the reaction he wanted from Donghyuck showed. "She's one of those fangirls that chase after Mark, although she doesn't look like it. However, I have no idea what Mark think about her? Don't tell me, Mark is the one you're chasing after."

"No way hyung," Chenle laughed. "You're being ridiculous."

"You two would make a good match," Jeno teased.

"If I ever come out, Donghyuck would be in the top of the list," Chenle wrapped an arm around his best friend's neck. "What do you think?"

"No way, you never told me these things," Donghyuck playfully punch his best friend. Jeno looked fondly at Donghyuck as the two freshmen fight playfully.

"Donghyuck, smile more. You look cuter when you smile," Jeno commented. "Why hide those smile?"

The two friends stopped and Donghyuck's face turned a bit red. Chenle smiled knowingly to himself. "Hyung, are you hitting on my friend by calling him cute?"

"How can I answer that question with him still sitting here?" Jeno said awkwardly.

"Ok, pretend he's not here," The Chinese freshman covered Donghyuck's face. "Do you think Donghyuck is cute?"

Donghyuck can still peek through the crevices between Chenle's fingers. Jeno looked straight at Donghyuck. "Yes, I think he is very cute."

While Donghyuck was completely stunned by Jeno's words, Chenle just continues eating with a smirk on his face.

"Ya know, you won't win the competition this year," The sophomore took a bite of the meat. 

"Wait, why?" Donghyuck asked curiously.

"You're extremely cute but not handsome," Jeno explained. "Compare yourself to Mark. You guys are totally different. The Engineering Department will win this year."

Chenle and Jeno happily click their drinks together to cheer.

"Just because you guys are in the same department," Donghyuck shook his head. "What if I win?"

"Not possible."

"But what if I win?"

"Then... I'll give you a reward," Jeno smiled.

"Deal," The short freshman raised his eyebrows. "You better go get a job for that reward then."

"It seems like you're much happier now," Jeno ruffled the boy's hair from across the table.

"Maybe he forgot his old dog and got a new puppy," Chenle commented on the side, breaking the little moment Jeno and Donghyuck have. 

"You should be in the Writing department," Donghyuck deadpanned. "Your brain is deeper than a hole."

"I'm just being honest," Chenle shrugged. He leaned closer to Donghyuck and whispered to him. "Look how pumped up you get knowing Mark is single."

"Chenle, stop talking nonsense," Donghyuck playfully hit his best friend.

"Donghyuck, stop abusing me. Jeno hyung, help!"

The sophomore watched fondly from the other side of the table. The three of them finished eating. Donghyuck insisted on paying but Jeno beat him to it first. The older boy pays the whole dinner and drove all of them back home. That night, Donghyuck finds himself having a hard time sleeping. His brain is going into overdrive.

Wendy is smart and very pretty, Donghyuck sighed as he rolled around in bed. The most important thing is gender because Mark likes girl. I'm a boy and look like I just hit puberty. Also, I have the wrong set of s. I don't have a chance.

Donghyuck the light and sit up. He leaned on his hands and look over to the drawer. Pictures of Mark in his high school days littered all over the top of the drawer. The boy got up and walked over the drawer. 

From the moment Mark told Jaemin hyung that he likes girl, I'm already doomed.

Just then, Donghyuck heard keys jingling. He immediately ran to the door. He quickly fixed his appearance before peeking out the door. To say he was disappointed was an understatement. Donghyuck was expecting Mark to walked Wendy back to her apartment like before but Wendy was alone this time.

"Oh, Wendy noona," Donghyuck tried to hide his disappointment.

"Good evening Donghyuck," Wendy greeted back. "Is something wrong?"

"You're home late," The freshman commented. "Where... Where is Mark?"

"After dinner, he went to study with his friends," The female sophomore answered.

"He still studies after the exam?"

"Yeah, he wanna help the people who didn't get high scores. Some of his friends from class will be taking the makeup test tomorrow morning."

"Then, do you know when he'll be back?"

"Do you need to relay a message? I see him tomorrow and I could tell him."

"Oh, I just... ummm..." Donghyuck awkwardly tried to come up with an excuse to see Mark. Wendy just slightly turned her head sideways as she waited for an answer. "... Have some question about the competition."

"Oh, he was helping someone when I left," Wendy explained. "It won't take long but you'll probably have to wait a bit."

"His room is... Floor 4, room 4 right?"

"It's Floor 3 room 3," Wendy laughed slightly. "You confusing it with some girl room."

You're so dumb, Donghyuck. The freshman thoughts to himself. "Sorry for bothering you, noona. Thak you so much."

"No problem, good night," She waved before opening her apartment door and walked inside. 

Donghyuck awkwardly walked back to his room and reanalyzed everything. Damn it! She's smart, beautiful, decent, knowledgeable, humorous, and so polite. I definitely got no chance at all. How could Mark not like her? But what's wrong with me? Why am I so curious? I'm turning into Chenle's stupid brain.

Chenle sneezed in his room while looking at his phone.

Donghyuck waited and waited some more. It's pretty late already but he stayed up just to see Mark. From reading his mangas to walking around his room, Donghyuck tried to keep himself busy until then. After getting some fresh air from the balcony, Donghyuck walked back inside only to heard the sky rumbled. Rain started to pour down like no tomorrow. The freshman quickly grabs his umbrella and ran downstairs to the lobby. 

He waited there until a car parked in the vacant spot. The car belonged to Mark. Donghyuck quickly opened his umbrella and ran to the car. 

Mark shut down his car engine and opened the door. He held his bag over his head to prevent himself from getting wet. However, his bag didn't get wet at all. Mark turned around to see Donghyuck holding the umbrella over the two of them. 

"Y-You're home late?" Donghyuck mentally slapped himself for stuttering.

"What about you? Why aren't you slept?" Mark asked back.

"I... have to go to the pharmacy store," The freshman answered. 

"I thought you're waiting for me," The handsome sophomore replied. "Your timing is impeccable. So... are you sick or something?"

"Umm... I need some vitamins," Donghyuck hesitantly answered. "I've gone to bed late recently which is bad for my skin."

Mark leaned closer. "I thought it's for your eyes. It looked a little red."

"Oh, that's the contact lenses."

Mark was quiet for a bit before he speaks up again. "You're nearsighted?"

Donghyuck nodded a little too enthusiastic and smiled. "Yes."

"Don't tell me you're crying because you didn't treat me with sushi," The older male teased.

"Not really," Donghyuck shrugged. "I didn't waste any money which is a good thing."

"Why does the shorter one hold the umbrella?" Mark took the umbrella handle, which touches Donghyuck's hand. The freshman's heart skipped a beat. The older male turned to walk.

"Where are you going? The dorm is this way," Donghyuck pulled on the sophomore's sleeve.

"I thought you need vitamins." 

"Oh right, pharmacy."

"Come on!"

The two of them walked close to each other. The umbrella was meant for one person so Mark and Donghyuck had to stay pretty close. Even with their close proximity, Donghyuck's left shoulder still got a little wet from the rain. The ground is a little slippery from the water. It also doesn't help that Donghyuck was nervous, which cause him to slip.

Out of instinct, Donghyuck grabbed the closest thing to him to prevent himself from hitting the floor. The closest thing to him is Mark. 

You guys don't know how much I fanboy whenever I watch this last scene. it's like a turning point in the story. Tell me what you like or dislike in the comment below. 

FIGHTING!!!