The waves were rolling, and morning was already breaking through the opened window. His alarm clock was ringing loudly waking up the groggy Jinyoung, he was smashed between two bodies. Jackson and Youngjae another friend of his. In his half- attempt to get up without waking the others, he jabbed Jackson in the eye with his elbow and kicked Youngjae on the floor. “! What the hell Jinyoung?” Jackson yelled while his younger friend snored happily on the floor with his Pokémon plushy. 

“Don’t what the me! You were clinging onto me like a baby!” He walked around Youngjae as he opened the door, pulling on his shirt over his head. “Seriously! Last time I remember, it was you who wanted to sleep with us!” And Jackson was damn right. Jinyoung couldn’t bare to share the same room with his nemesis, it was a fight for his love interest, which was quite funny because he was the only one thinking in such a manner. He shudder at the fact of losing Elizabeth, not like he had the chance of getting her in the first place, but a hormonal seventeen year old can only dream right?

The other reason why he decided not to sleep in his room was because he honestly didn’t like new people, or noise for that matter. You wouldn’t believe how long it took for Jackson and BamBam to befriend Jinyoung, about five years give or take. And the only reason why he was comfortable with Jaebum was because they’ve lived in the same area since forever. And naturally he grew a fondness towards Yuygeom and a Youngjae because his family practically forced him to teach them how to turn cocoa beans into the delicious flavor of chocolate. He sighed deeply staring at the door. He was hoping that other would be asleep and he could freshen up and change as quickly as possible. “Here goes nothing.” He opened the door

Now one can say, what’s he so anxious about? Other than his love interest being stolen, what else could make Jinyoung nervous. Maybe it was this sight, or maybe Jinyoung’s brain was on overdrive because he was up too early. But he swore his heart moved, sped up, jumped from his chest, his stomach was churning it was the most strangest and quite awful feeling he ever had, it was worse than a stomach ache. 

—————————————————————

Mark was asleep, the wind was blowing and the white curtains that hung blew effortlessly with the wind. The light from the morning sun shined against Mark’s skin, his hair laid close to his head, his long eyelashes hovering over his closed eyes. The white covers loosely hung over his lower half with his feet peeking out. The view of the ocean only added to the scene and Jinyoung couldn’t, he absolutely couldn’t deny that this man was gorgeous. He didn’t know if this was an American thing or if it was simply the essence of who Mark was. He wanted to look away, but he was glued to the sleepy face, and he was actually mad when Jackson came out screaming some song from a k-pop idols. 

“GIRLS~GIRLS~GIRLS!!! Good morning world, hey Jinyoung~” Jinyoung quickly slammed the door mentally cursing himself for having friends. Mark was woken up by Jinyoung’s terrible attempt at not getting caught staring at a boy, his nemesis at that. He rubbed his eyes, “Jinyoung?” He turned around and his thoughts were completely skewed, can a guy be this beautiful? Is that even possible, guys being beautiful, but not flower-boy beautiful? The awkward stare led to Mark titling his head cutely, this was it for the raven-haired boy, his cold demeanor returning. He scoffed, “You should get dress, class starts soon and nobody tolerates lateness.” He pushed the bathroom door open, slamming the door closed. He sighed as he gripped the sink and looked in the mirror. Frankly, he was blushing pretty hard fora straight boy. “Get a grip Jinyoung, this is about Elizabeth, we won’t lose to him.”

———————————————————

 Mark’s phone ranged and Jinyoung came out the bathroom halfway through his conversation with he assumed his mom. He was looking towards the window, he seemed quite sad. 

“...yeah, yes of course...we knew it was going to happen. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the...y’know.” He sighed. Jinyoung wasn’t one to eavesdrop, but he couldn’t help but be a little curious. “Then, I’ll go when I get back, yes, I love you too.” Jinyoung left the room as soon as his phone call ended, “What was that about?” He walked down the rusty black steps towards the garden, everyone was already seated. His smile grew when there was an open seat by Elizabeth which he gladly took. 

“Good morning Jinyoung.” He nodded, he found Jackson and BamBam giving signs, BamBam giving more inappropriate gestures. Today was the bonfire, and Jinyoung was going to make his move. The bonfire is just some tradition his parents made, and this year would be special. He already planned out his confession with roses and a box of hand made chocolate, not to brag, but Jinyoung was the best at cooking, and anything dealing with sweets. Jinyoung kicked BamBam from under the table, earning him a well-deserved face full of soup. Everyone laughed at BamBam’s incident. “!” Jackson tried to contain his food while laughing without choking. 

Mark entered the garden area, and it seemed everyone quiet down. Jackson, BamBam, Youngjae, Yuygeom’s jaw dropped in a sequential order. Oldest to youngest. The girls couldn’t help but blush. Mark was in a simple gray shirt, jeans, and vans. He rocked a gold chain, but for some reason everyone thought the look was some type of expensive American style. But Mark was a thrifter, so every thing he owned expect for his shoes came from a thrift shop. Mark scanned the outside area for a seat, and he found one right in front of Jinyoung. He dreaded the fact that he’d had to be the one who sat there, but nonetheless he took his seat. 

Jinyoung saw Elizabeth’s eyes twinkle, and he was already giving death glares, which made Mark retreat more into his shell. Jackson coughed up his rice and spoke, “You are y .” He earned some well-deserved looks, but no one could refuse his statement, he wasn’t wrong at all. Mark hated compliments in general, but those were the worse, so he acknowledged the comment. He absolutely hated the stares as well, he wasn’t the type to want to draw attention, but his face and build always brought on this burden. Just from that thought alone made him leave just as he came. He was already sweating buckets.

The girls started throwing nuts at Jackson. “Look what you did! Now Mr. American will think we’re weirdos!” Youngjae laughed. He thought the situation was hilarious, well until his eyes laid on Jinyoung, whose death glare turned into worry. In actuality, Jinyoung cared a lot about how others felt, he was just the right amount scary and caring making him someone really comfortable to be around, he was just extremely hard to get close too unless he chose to be your friend. Youngjae understood that well. So, it was odd, but not at the same time seeing Jinyoung function that way. 

————————————————————

Classes had begun, first was the intense introduction to business understanding, foundations to baking, chocolate 3.1, and languages, then it was finical analysis, the science of economics, and chocolate 3.2. Then a ten minute break, and individual study. All of that had to be done by noon, and man was those classes grueling, but for Jinyoung the most grueling was the sitting arrangement. His beautiful Elizabeth was next to Mark, the ing American, was this just a curse or what? He dreaded every minute of watching them two flirt, well only in his mind did he think of their interactions as flirting. 

Elizabeth could drop a pencil for all he cared and if Mark picked up he called it as flirting, if Mark wanted to work alone, but Elizabeth insist on helping him, he’d deemed it illegal to his human rights and his pursuit to happiness. If Mark even showed an ounce of enthusiasm towards Elizabeth, he’d whine in his brain that this was cruelty. Jackson just sat watching his friend rage every few seconds, it was laughable, Jackson knew very well that Jinyoung had absolutely no chance with Elizabeth and watching him pride over her everyday was kinda pathetic, but amusing. It wasn’t like all of Jinyoung’s friends didn’t warn him that Elizabeth just wasn’t that type of girl, but it’s not impossible for things to work out in his favor.

Mark on the other hand was miserable. People were so frustrating, and it’s even worse when you have two scary looking eyes burning the back of your skull with laser stares. Honestly, he just wanted to be back in America, not like he had any friends, but at least at home he could be around his family, especially his dad. Things weren’t looking too good since his last heart attack, and Mark knew he probably wouldn’t be alive to see him graduate high school, Time was such a precious thing he didn’t have. He understood his mother’s wishes for getting him out the house, and he knew his father wasn’t going to argue, but family comes first. That’s what Mark always believed. 

————————————————

“The most important thing about chocolate, is how the treat is crafted. Each mixture, and each detail you put into your chocolate will ultimately decide how good it will taste to those who indulge in it. Today, with a partner you’ll mix and pour liquidity chocolate, and we’ll measure the density, and of course examine the flavors. Try your best to make the chocolate written on the directions sitting at your stations.” 

Jinyoung was completely fine with the class, his parents were chocolate makers after all, so he knew most of this stuff anyways, but what he was not cool with was the fact that Mark ing Tuan was his partner and Elizabeth was smiling and giggling about him from the other classes. This is just plain torture for the lad. 

Mark didn’t even have the courage to ask Jinyoung any questions, knowing he disliked him with a passion, plus he’s been sitting next to his, girlfriend he assumed, and that didn’t seem to settle with them either way. Jinyoung huffed as he snatched the instructions. “Insert the cocoa beans at the top.” He was kinda impressed that Mark was    a fast learner. They further ahead then the rest of the class. 

“Now...you can’t do it like that!”

“Do it like what? I haven’t done anything else!”

“I mean your hands you can’t put them right there!”

It was the first time they actually had a conversation, well argument. Jinyoung sighed as he moved behind Mark. “Look, I’ll show you the right, but don’t get any ideas, you got it.” He placed his hands onto Mark’s as he explained the mechanics of the machine and why he was wrong. He held them tightly as they worked the machine together, before either of them noticed, they were comfortable with each other’s touch. Jinyoung was noticing things about Mark he shouldn’t be carrying about. Like the fact he was shorter than him, and that he had a small head for his age. His hair was fluffy, the back of his neck reminded him of white sugar, and god his hands were softer than a fat baby’s . 

“...So like this? Jinyoung? Jinyoung?” Jinyoung was in daze, Mark looked like a girl, he kinda gives off the same vibes as Elizabeth. “Jinyoung, you can let go...” Jinyoung shook his head as he realized Mark was looking at him, those big brown eyes looking for an explanation as to why he hadn’t answered, and by this point all eyes were on them. 

Jinyoung coughed awkwardly as he removed his hands away from Mark, the warmth he felt immediately fading away. Some girls were squealing, but he could feel Elizabeth’s eyes on him. The second time today that he completely lost sight of where he was. He wondered why Mark reminded him of a girl, he isn’t a girl, he’s not girl! He looked towards the window. Mark was quiet, the awkwardness that surrounding both of them seemed to last forever, and that was until the class was over with. 

————————————————

It was already the night of the bonfire, Jinyoung and his friends were in Jackson’s room. 

“Do you seriously need to borrow my clothes? Jinyoung you of all people could buy a whole entire mall out with the checks your parents be cashing out!” Jinyoung sighed, “Look Jackson, I need to look extra good for Elizabeth, it has to be perfect! So let me wear the jacket you’re wearing right now!” Youngjae busted out laughing, he found every situation just striking funny, he knew the bonfire was going to be an utter disaster. BamBam and Yuygeom walked in, “Jinyoung we came with gifts!” Jinyoung had already torn off Jackson’s jacket from his body and wrapped around himself. Yuygeom handed him the roses and chocolate, which he gladly accepted. BamBam handed him a box of condoms as he was checking himself out in the mirror.

“Than—oh my ing God, what the BamBam!?”

“Hyung, protection is key to a healthy relationship!”

“Hell no! I’m not doing that tonight! Let me get the girl first!”

“Soooo...you’re not getting laid tonight? Dude...”

Jackson just laughed, and took the condoms for himself, “If you won’t use em’ I will!”

———————————————

The fire was blazing, in the night sky things looked brighter, especially the flames of the burning wood. Mixtures of oranges, yellows, and reds would pop out as people sung drunkly. The sounds of laughter could be heard for miles, miles on end with the crash of waves connection to the soft sand of the wind. It was truly a beautiful night. 

Elizabeth and Jinyoung sat further away from the fire. She held a beer in her hand. Yes, they were underage, but that’s something no one needs to know, you know the saying, ‘What happens in Greece, stays in Greece.’ She swung her feet. 

“Say, Jinyoung how do you feel about Mark?” The question surprised him. 

“What do you mean how I feel about him, I don’t like him if that’s why you’re asking...”

“Not even as a friend?”

“Elizabeth, he literally just showed up, how could I befriend someone in a day.”

“You two seemed pretty close in class today.”

“That...that wasn’t anything, I had to help him with the machine, you know how those things works.” Elizabeth chuckled, “Though you held his hands for quite sometime.”

Jinyoung looked away, he couldn’t argue against that, he didn’t know why he got so caught up in the moment, but if she keeps asking about Mark, how the hell is he suppose to ask her out!? 

“Say, Jinyoung...”

“Huh?” He looked towards her. 

“Should we go out?” Jinyoung stared at her for a long time, his jaw dropping. W-Wait so she liked him too?

But Elizabeth was never that type of girl, actually she rather ship two guys together than herself, but...for some reason she had to urge to stir things up. How that ends, is entirely up to the people involved.