Mark was pacing around his living room, with a phone on his ear, smiling from ear to ear. He just got home from being with Jinyoung, and thought that he should give his parents a ring. "The apartment's nice mom. Yeah, everything is great." 

The call has been long overdue, really. He misses his parents so much, especially more since Jinyoung's revelation that afternoon. He reassures his mom that he's doing well and he misses them so much. But honestly, the main reason he called was to ask about soulmate stuff.

"Hey mom, I'm curious about something. How long did it take for your soulmate mark to stop burning when you're not with your soulmate?" His mom was clearly taken aback, hearing her in a breath with the sudden realization.

"You've met them? Who is she? Is she pretty? Is she nice?" His mom sounded so delighted at the news. He rolled his eyes, but his smile grew bigger. 

"It's a he actually. He is truly wonderful and he is nice. I met him in school, and he sits besides me in class." Mark revealed, more than happy to talk about Jinyoung. His mom squealed merrily, quickly calling over her husband to break the news.

"Ok, son. Now that you've met him, the burn will last for usually 2 weeks, more or less. It's great that you sit beside him, at least he's near you most of the time. Honey, I'm so excited for you! You must bring him when you come visit us!" His mom instructed. 2 weeks huh. It's almost been a week, so another week to go. Not that I mind.

Mark had many good days, but today is not one of them.. He was almost late for school; having woken up late, therefore missing the bus, forgetting to bring his bus card too. Not only that, but due to rushing, he forgot his wallet too. He breathed a sigh, thinking how his life has been going smoothly these past few days.  When has it ever ran smoothly, of course this is bound to happen.

Mark walked into class that day, no, he ran into class that day, barely missing the bell. He looked around to see if the teacher was already present, only to find Jackson laughing at him hysterically. He shot a glare at Jackson and walked to his desk, to see Jinyoung taking a nap. Well, that's no surprise.

"Hey Jinyoung. You're okay now?" Mark greeted as he sat beside him, sweaty and out of breath. Jinyoung looked up and grinned at him. Only to furrow his eyebrows at the mess that is sitting beside him.

"What happened to you? You look like you just ran a marathon."Jinyoung chuckled, but passes Mark his water bottle, which Mark gladly took.

"Gee, thanks." Mark rolled his eyes. "But all joking aside, I literally had to run to school." To this Jinyoung laughed even louder. 

"Oh hey Jinyoung. I want you to sit with us during lunch. Is that cool?" Mark asked, and Jinyoung hummed in response. But nonetheless, Jinyoung still had an uncomfortable look on his face. 

"Hey, what's wrong?" Mark asked, his hand quickly wrapping around Jinyoung's. Mark tried to coax Jinyoung to answer, but Jinyoung just looked away. What is he scared about?

After a few minutes of pestering Jinyoung, he finally caved in. "It's just that, I don't think your friends will welcome me? I've been an to them." He sighed in defeat.

"I mean, what's done is done. The only thing we can do to fix that is to apologize, isn't it." Mark answered gently, but Jinyoung still pouted.

"I guess. It's my fault anyway, so I have to face the consequence. Ugh, why did I even bully them in the first place." Jinyoung whined. 

The rest of the class was spent with Jinyoung sleeping away, and Mark trying to decipher what the teacher was saying. However, no one knew that they were holding hands beneath the table.

As soon as the bell rang, Jackson comes running towards Mark's table. "Yo Markie! Let's go for lunch, I'm starving." Jackson grumbled. 

"Yeah just give me a minute, man. My bag isn't gonna pack itself." Mark pointed oud, snickering in the process. "Oh, and by the way, Jinyoung is sitting with us during lunch. Is that cool?" He said nonchalantly. 

It was almost funny how Jackson's face warps into the nastiest glare Jackson has ever put on and how quickly Jinyoung snaps up his nap . Mark tries to suppress his laughter and tries to urge Jinyoung to apologize to Jackson. 

"Come on, Nyoung. It's now or never." Mark whispered to Jinyoung, he doesn't see the blush that forms on Jinyoung's face at the use of the pet name. 

To say that Jackson was hesitant to converse with Jinyoung alone was definitely an understatement. As seconds tick by, Mark was getting more impatient. I really need Jacks to trust Jinyoung right now.

He grabs Jinyoung's arm and rolled up his sleeves, doing the same to his. Jackson looked baffled at first."What is that?" But slowly, he started piecing things together, his eyes getting bigger at the sudden realization. 

Jackson points at Jinyoung, then back at Mark, and does that for a couple of times. He struggles to say something. "You.. and You.. Soulmates... The ."

Mark felt that he owed Jackson an explanation. But its paramount that Jinyoung talk to Jackson's "Yeah I should have told you earlier Jacks. I'm so sorry, I was scared. But can you please give Jinyoung a chance to make things right?" 

And Jackson finally nods.

"I'm so sorry for my immature behavior. I did it only because I really didn't have any friends, and bullying was the only way to get some. You're a good kid, Mark always talks about you. Thank you for befriending him. I'm sorry for being a ty person, I hope you forgive me." Jinyoung says remorsely. Jackson grins, wraps his arm around Jinyoung's shoulder and began pulling his ear. "This is for your ."

"Oww oww, Jackson! I said I'm sorry!" The whole classroom was filled with Jinyoung's screams, and Jackson's hyena laughter. Mark chuckled at the scene, glad that his soulmate, and bestfriend is getting along. 

Jackson pulled Mark aside for a moment, and whispered to him, "Hey Mark, just a quick question. Are you guys dating?"

Mark almost choked at the sudden question. I did not expect that at all.

"No, Jacks. Not yet. I  feel that we need to get to know each other first. I don't want to rush things with him." Mark answered back, cheeks heating up at the cheesiness of his answer. Jackson just smiles fondly at Mark and pulls Jinyoung and him to the cafeteria.

The trio made their way for lunch finally, filled with chatter and laughter. I can get used to this.

As the three made their way to their lunch table, they were met by strange looks from the 3 boys sitting on the lunch table. Bam Bam, Yugyeom, as well as the new addition to their group, Jaebum eyed Jinyoung warily. Their faces were definitely filled with confusion as the most-unlikely trio made their way to the table.

Jackson, being the outspoken one, tried to break the awkwardness in the air. "Ok, it looks like we need to explain, obviously." Jackson started. "So this is Jinyoung, as everyone knows. Jinyoung here wants to say something." 

Jinyoung admitted his guilt, and updates the group on what he told Jackson previously. The 3 boys were definitely less skeptical than Jackson was, but was nevertheless taken aback. Well, if anyone witnesses Jinyoung, the freaking hooligan of the school apologizing, they will absolutely be doubtful. 

The group searched Jinyoung's face for any hints of deceit, but they were only met with sincerity, which certainly boggled them.

"Okay, Jinyoung, this is seriously weird for us, but we accept your apology." Bam Bam started, a smile plastered on his face. Jaebum also spoke, reaching his hand out for Jinyoung to shake. "Yeah, welcome to the group man. If Minjun and Jinsoo bothers you, you better tell us." Yugyeom also does the same, but reached out for a hug.

Jackson quickly pulled everyone for a group hug, howling in laughter as Jaebum glared at Jackson. Jackson, Mark and Jinyoung finally then sat down.

Once the table was full of chatter, Mark pulled Jinyoung, who was beside him, to help him translate what he just said. Jinyoung took a long sigh, but proceeded to explain the lengthy conversation anyway.

And once again, his heart skipped a beat. Time all of a sudden slowed down, almost to a halt. Jinyoung's raven hair was perfectly swept into place. His brown, hazel, doe-like eyes glistering in the sun. His smile that was almost blinding. Mark couldn't help but in a breath, can't help that his face is heating up. That was the second time he saw Jinyoung so beautiful. 

Mark broke out of his trance with Jinyoung waving his hands to his face "Earth to Mark! Are you even listening to me?" Mark nodded, still out of it. And damn, he really had to thank his lucky stars again. The bell rang, and everyone in the cafeteria started scampering off to their next class. They bid each other farewell and made their way to their next class. 

Mark needed some air to calm his nerves. So, he gives the lamest excuse to Jackson, Jaebum, and Jinyoung, who unfortunately was from the same class. I just need to cool off. "Hey, I'm gonna use the rest room. See you guys in class." The rest were still bewildered, but shrugged it off and went their way. 

As Mark looked at the mirror in the rest room, washing his face to soothe his rosy cheeks, he couldn't help but sigh in the mess he's in.

"I am so ed."