Took You Long Enough Sequel to: A Not-So-Happy Anniversary - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   Just how Min suspected, things had become different between her and Mark.   Slowly but surely she began seeing less of him. They were still friends, or so he said, and yet they barely saw one another other, let alone spoke to one another. Because Min and Mark didn't have any classes on campus, they always had to make the extra effort to see each other in between classes or during lunch while they were off for three hours until their next scheduled classes. But now they never had any time. If Mark wasn't with Suzy, he was always talking about her or talking to her via phone or text. At that point, Min made it a point to stop hanging out with him less and less. Her poor heart couldn't take it. And it didn't deserve that kind of pain. Why torture herself? But upon occasion she would catch a glimpse of them strolling along campus or having lunch near the courtyard.   She knew it was bound to happen one day. Mark was one hell of a catch and it was only a matter of time until he found himself someone. It was inevitable. But she just wished that it didn't happen so soon. Hoping that at least he could've waited and done it once she was over him. But alas, that's not how life worked and clearly, that's not what fate had in store for Min.   Life was too cruel.   But there was nothing she could do about it... in fact, Min was slowly beginning to accept it. Suzy was his girlfriend now, it was only natural that he would prioritize her and that he and Min would drift apart. Even if they had been friends since they were in diapers, and he always swore he would never let it come to that — that no relationship would come between them. And yet it did. But realistically, Mark wasn't fooling anyone. When people get involved in relationships it was just something that happened naturally. And Min didn't blame him or resent Suzy for it.    It was what it was in the end.     ----------- ♦ ----------    

A few months later and things had continued to go the way they were.

Min woke up one June morning feeling a little better about herself than she had previously. Not even her situation with Mark could get to her because surely he would do something to make these last few months up to her. She still couldn't come around to hating him or be angry with him because, in a way she understood, she knew he had other things on his mind at the moment. It would just be ridiculous to behave that way towards him when he had always been a good friend to her, and she knew he still was.

Seeing the notifications on her phone, Min scrolled through them happily, going text by text and replying to everyone's birthday wishes. But she hadn't seen the one text she was hoping to see. She shook off the negative thoughts and went on to take a shower and get dressed for the three classes she had that day.

Min got to the university later that morning with no signs of Mark. Normally he would be waiting for her by the courtyard, but no such luck. Instead she was met the warm and inviting smile of their mutual friend since high school, Junior. Though you can easily say Min and Mark were bestfriends, they did normally hang out with a group with 3 others that included Junior, Irene and JB. Mark met JB in 3rd grade, while Min had always been close to Irene since Kindergarten. 

"You're here early." Min said with a smile, noting that he was there a lot earlier than usual. Junior was the type who enjoyed sleeping in despite having morning classes himself.

"Of course. Today's a special day."

"Is it?" Min feigned ignorance as she dramatically placed her hand against her chest.

Junior smiled and then held out a small coral-pink box that was adorned with a neon green ribbon that was tied up into a small bow. "Happy birthday, Min."

Min couldn't help but smile in response, looking up at the boy with the precious eyes smile. "What is this?"

"Isn't it obvious. A gift, dummy."

Min accepted the gift and undid the bow before removing the lid and looking inside. She was surprised to find a pretty thin-chained silver necklace with a small M-shaped pendant on it. "Oh. Wow. It's so pretty. Thank you, Junior."

"No problem." He looked down and smiled shyly to himself.

Min cleared and then held the necklace out for him. "You mind?"

"Not at all." Junior unclasped the necklace upon receiving it and waited as Min turned around to pull up hair so that he could help put it on. "There."

"How does it look?"

"Good. Just as I expected." He enjoyed the way Min smiled in response and couldn't help but doing the same. "So where is Mark?" Min's entire mood sullen at the mention of her estranged bestfriend and her inability to hide this fact alerted Junior that something was wrong. "Are you guys still not talking?"

Min shrugged. "He's been busy."

"Did he at least wish you happy birthday?"

"It's not a problem," She assured as if she was fine with it.

"Not a problem?" But obviously Junior saw right through her.  "Min, you two have always been inseparable. We're talking about the same guy who makes sure to stay up until midnight every year to make sure he's the first person to tell you happy birthday."

"Things are different now, Junior," She quickly argued with a sigh. Things were different. "He's dating now and priorities change."

"You should always be first," He defended, before further stating, "I know you're mine."

Min was a little taken aback by his straightforward way of speaking. It wasn't unlike Junior to be that way, but it was the first time he said anything along those lines to her. She decided it was best to avoid it for the time being. Her mind was still on other things. "We still have the rest of the day ahead of us. No use jumping to conclusions and making assumptions now when we don't know anything yet. Maybe it just slipped his mind." At this point she wasn't sure if she was trying to ease his mind, or hers.

"Maybe." What he really wanted to say was 'I doubt it'. Ever since getting with Suzy, Mark had been acting strange, not only with Min, but with everyone else as well. It was like all he did was spend his time with Suzy and it was starting to get to him. Especially since it was obvious how Min felt about him. He didn't like seeing her so sad all the time as he continued to ignore her like she hadn't been there for him all his life. She didn't deserve it and it annoyed him even more that Mark was so blind to it. Personally, Junior would never overlook Min for anyone. Ever.

"Well I should get to class..."

"Min, wait." He shouldn't let the chance slip away. Now that Min and Mark didn't have a chance maybe he... "I have to ask you something..."

    ----------- ♦ ----------    

It was later after her first class when Min finally received a text message from Mark. But it wasn't at all the message she was expecting. Or hoping for.

 

From Marky-Mark:
Hey! You think you can take care of Mcclane tonight?
I'm going to head over to that hotel on the beach with Suzy for a date.

 

Min didn't reply right away. She didn't know how. She didn't know whether to be angry and annoyed or disappointed and heartbroken at the fact that not only had Mark clearly forgotten her birthday, but he was also going to spend time alone at some beach-front hotel with Suzy. She continued walking toward her car when she got the next text from him.

 

From Marky-Mark:
I don't want to leave him alone and he loves you as much as he loves me. Maybe more. MAYBE.
I promise I will never ask you for another last minute favor like this again.
But it was kind of a last minute thing and I didn't know who else to ask...

From Marky-Mark:
Minnie?

 

And there it was again... that insufferable nickname that had her complying to his every bidding like an idiot. It was her own undoing.

 

To Marky-Mark:
Sure... I have nothing better to do.

 

He expressed his appreciation and excitement and though Min was doing her best to try and act the same through text, in reality she thought her heart would shatter into a million pieces if it hadn't been for the fact that she didn't want to break down in the middle of campus. They hadn't had one proper conversation in almost three months. They barely saw one another and THIS is what he asked of her. And on her birthday, no less.

He had forgotten.

But maybe this was exactly the motivation she needed. Because it was at that moment that Min made a promise to herself. She would cut off all ties with Mark after doing this one last thing for him.

    ----------- ♦ ----------    

Stepping into his apartment for the first time in almost four months, Min walked in with her bag in hand — containing extra clothes and her toiletries — just in case the date went longer than expected. 

Hearing little footsteps against the wooden floorboards, Min smiled and crouched down to greet the cute little French Bulldog wearing his usual grey doggy hoodie whenever he was inside the house, since Mark liked keeping it cold. She tugged on the sweater she had hanging from the straps of her duffel bag and slipped it on before making her way to find Mark.

Hearing rustling coming from his room, Min dragged herself over to find him rushing around to finish getting ready. As usual, Mark looked as handsome as ever wearing a dark blue dress-shirt, black pants and dress shoes. Even his hair was styled to perfection.

"You seem excited," She commented as she leaned against the doorframe to his room.

"Hey," He greeted with a little jump from when Min spoke. He smiled. "I didn't even hear you come in."

"Of course not. You look really focused."

He shrugged. "I guess."

Min crossed her arms and nodded as she watched him go back to add the finishing touches to his ensemble by adding a black tie around his neck. He was acting as if they hadn't not been talking for almost three months. As if them not hanging out wasn't a problem. He was acting as if everything was okay between them and yet it was her birthday and he was there... not saying anything about it. And she wasn't about to bring it up either if he didn't care to.

Her hand went up to her necklace, where she felt on the little 'M' pendant in between her fingers. Junior had given her this. He had remembered and he was considerate to give her something that reminded him of her. That he knew she would like.

"Nice. Necklace," Mark said suddenly, snapping Min out of her thoughts as she looked up at him.

A little flustered Min simply mumbled a "Thanks" but said nothing more about it.

"I've never seen you wear it before. Is it new?" For someone who she hadn't seen in months, he sure was perceptive in noticing something as simple as a necklace.

"Um, yeah. Junior gave it to me."

"Oh, really?" This got Mark's attention as he straightened up and looked at her. "What for?"

She shrugged and gave the necklace on last look in between her fingers before letting it fall against her chest. "I guess he saw it and reminded him of me."

There was a strange expression on Mark's face but it only lasted a moment before he finally responded, "That's nice of him."

"Yup," She nodded. "Very considerate."

Grabbing his wallet, cell and keys, Mark started passed Min and into the living room, with her following close behind. "Alright, so I should be back a little passed midnight but if it gets too late and you get tired, don't hesitate to go sleep in my room." 

Min inwardly sighed. So he is staying the night with her.

"Sure. No problem." She had to control her expression as much as possible. As much as she wanted to yell at him and tell him off and remind him that it was her birthday, she knew it would be no use. What was the point? What would she achieve by reminding him about something HE should already remember. Her heart and mind were in conflict again, but she never did anything to showcase it in her expression. And it easily went over Mark's head.

"Alright. Thanks again, Min," He leaned over to bring her in for a hug and kiss her cheek. It had more of an effect on Min than she could've wanted. Even if it meant nothing to him. She watched as he squatted down to affectionately pet Mcclane, who he had named after his favorite action movie badass, John Mcclane of the Die Hard franchise. "See ya. By buddy. Love ya!"

And in no time, with another wave at Min and his pooch, he was out the door.

Now able to give an audible groan of frustration, Min did so as she walked over to lock the door in Mark's wake. After doing so she headed back to the med-sized sectional couch and fell down against it with Mcclane immediately taking his place beside her, his adorable face laying against her lap.

"Why do I do this to myself, Mcclane, huh? Why am I such a masochist?" She pet the top of his head and heard a little jingling sound, reminding her of the charm bracelet he had given her for their anniversary. She looked down at it sadly, her fingers tracing the charms one by one. She breathed out, "God, I'm so stupid."

The ringing of her phone brought her out of her thoughts with a flinch. With another exasperated sigh, Min leaned over to answer without looking at the ID.

"Min? Where the heck are you?" She didn't have to look at the ID to recognize that voice. "It's a Friday night and your birthday, why aren't we doing anything?" Irene's words came at her a mile-a-minute, filled with annoyance as she spoke.

"I'm at Mark's place."

"Oh~ So I see he finally came through, huh? Doing something special?" Min could swear she heard the smile in the tall girl's voice.

Min sighed... Sorry to disappoint you, Irene.

She quickly caught on. "What's wrong?"

Min bit her bottom lip before admitting, "I'm dog sitting, Mcclane."

"And where the hell is Mark?" Irene's response came out cold, but Min couldn't hide it from Irene. Not like she wanted to or had to. It was the truth after all. It was just as humiliating for her as it was to anyone else, so why shouldn't she be allowed to share her shame.

"He went out with Suzy. They went to the beach or something."

"Or something?" Irene stayed quiet for a moment and Min knew exactly what that meant. "Just wait until I see that kid I am going to knock-"

"Don't even bother," Min assured quickly. "It's not worth it."

"Min-"

"This is the last time, you know?" Min confirmed with conviction. "I don't want any of you guys telling him anything. Don't get involved. We're all friends in the end. I just want to cut him out completely and I'm going to make sure to leave before he get's here so that way I don't have to see him. I just... I thought I should just do him one last favor."

"Are you sure you want to do that?" Irene asked a little skeptically, knowing how much Min truly cared about Mark. And though she knew Mark valued Min, at the moment there was no denying that he wasn't.

"No," Min admitted honestly. "But I have to. It hurts too much." She looked down at her lap where Mcclane had fallen asleep as she continued to his head gently.

She had to be honest with herself. As much as she wanted Mark in her life, she knew she couldn't continue to be a part of his, especially if there was some else in it. Someone like Suzy.

"Ok well... on a positive note," Irene started, hoping to lighten the mood. "I heard Junior asked you out. You gonna take up the offer?"

Min thought back to that moment in the courtyard.

"I have to ask you something..."

"Um... okay, sure..." She responded as she casually walked back toward Junior. "What's up?"

"Will you go out... on a date... with me?" He asked nervously.

Min looked at him for a moment, unable to make heads or tails of what he had just said. At first she thought she had been hearing things but seeing the hopeful look on his face supported that she had correctly after all. And though she didn't know why she was afraid of answering. Something about dating someone else always held her back. She never liked anyone enough to ever say yes, but the problem here was that Junior wasn't just anyone. Junior was a close friend of her's and of Mark's.

"I don't need to have your answer right away, Min," He finally said after noticing her apprehension, probably because of Mark. "But please... Just think about it. For me." He would never give up hope. He knew her feelings, and he didn't mind, because he was a patient guy in the end. All he wanted was for Min to notice his feelings.

He didn't leave room for an answer. Instead he just smiled and walked away.

"I have no clue," Min responded, shaking her head in concern. "It's just so sudden. I didn't even know he liked me like that."

Irene smiled sadly. Of course she didn't know. He's always liked her, but she was just always too busy looking at Mark, as he looked off somewhere else. She knew better than anyone that Min needed this. She deserved this. And maybe, hopefully, she would finally fall in love with someone else who could appreciate her the way she should be. She was her bestfriend after all and she only wanted the best for her. "Well I think you should seriously consider it. Mark moved on, MinMin. So should you."

Min looked at the time on her phone a few hours after her talk with Irene. She had given it serious consideration like she said she would.

She unlocked her phone and scrolled through her contacts to find the person she wanted to talk to. Unfortunately she was too shy to call him, so instead she wrote him a text.

 

To Junior:
Hey Junior :)

From Junior:
Hey Min! Whatsup?

To Junior:
Hey... I was thinking about your question earlier...

From Junior:
About going out with me?

To Junior:
Yeah. And so I was thinking...
maybe we should give it a shot.

 

She sighed and put her phone down on her lap, awaiting his reply, all the while wondering if it was the right thing to do.

It was at around 2:30 in the morning, when Min got her answer. To her dismay, Mark had texted her saying that he wouldn't be back 'til morning because he was staying the night with Suzy at the hotel.

It was the last straw for her.

      ----------- ♦ ----------    

It was the next morning when Mark walked into his apartment, clumsily struggling with the keys before closing the door behind him. He placed a white plastic bag holding several take-out boxes on his kitchen counter and was immediately elated to hear the unmistakable sound of little paws on the wooden floor.

"Mcclane! Hey, buddy. Did you behave good? Did you miss me? Where's Min?" He asked excitedly upon greeting his canine companion by crouching down and affectionately rubbing his hands against his short mane. "Yo, Minyoung. I brought us breakfast!" He called out as he stood up, making is way over to where he had placed the bag of mid-morning junk food on the counter. He looked over at his dog who was laid out, munching on the ham bone he had been working on for the last week. "Where is she boy?" It wasn't like Min to skip out or not respond at the mention of food, so he was become a little worried. But before he could do anything about it, something caught his eye from a short distance. His brows furrowed as he walked over to his fridge and picked up something that was tucked underneath a magnet. "What's this? A note?"

 

Had to go but I made sure he was walked
and fed before I left.
-Min.

 

"She left already?" He asked dejectedly before he looked down at his dog who looked like he was having the time of his life with his bone. "Why would she leave so early? She loves sleeping in."

Not knowing why, Mark lost his appetite, which was strange considering that he was absolutely starving just a few seconds ago. He placed the bag of food in the refrigerator and instead decided to go back to sleep. For whatever reason, he wasn't happy bei