Mark didn't even bother to attempt to take notes in AP English, the boy was a native speaker and even the advance course proved no difficulty to him. This class was the only class Mark didn't have to try in, except for Phys ed, he was easily the number one student in class. Mark fell asleep after causing a scene by blatantly staring at Jinyoung for a solid 5 mins. Mark didn't even bother telling Junior to get a new seat, he was already even more put off at the thought furthering interactions with the boy. Due to his weird thoughts, first he thought Junior was pretty, he admitted to the boy that by calling him pretty boy yesterday. Not to mention he admitted it to Jackson of all people, and just now he found the boy cute. "What the hell! Is wrong with me? I usually don’t think about things like this." Mark thought. That’s when Mark heard a soft, sweet voice call him "Mark, wake up. Class is over." Then he felt someone rub his back gently, making him feel comforted and it made him hum in relaxation. At least that was till the older realized that his English teacher was never that gentle when waking him up, especially since it was hard to wake him up. Mark's eyes fluttered open and looked around, everyone had left even the teacher. That's when Mark noticed Junior’s presence, Mark groaned and looked at Jinyoung with a question look. Jinyoung realized what Mark had meant easily, "Oh the teacher said "he is now your problem, thanks!" and then left" Jinyoung replied answering Mark's unvoiced question. Mark mentally rolled his eyes at his teacher, “Taecyeon hyung, that " Mark thought. Taecyeon was their English teacher and Nichkhun's best friend, much to Mark's dismay. The older guy was always doing little things to irritate Mark just because the younger of the two would always beat him in Nba 2k17. Mark looked at his phone and was surprised, Mark was always late to Phys ed because Taecyeon wasn't able to wake him up quickly. However, Junior managed to wake him up easily in merely 2 minutes. Mark got irritated when realized he sleep through the whole class thinking about Junior. Mark without a word walked passed Junior and left to go his next class, Mark heard Junior sigh. Mark thought the boy had finally wise up and realized that trying to make friends with him was useless and gave up. However, Mark heard footsteps following behind him for a while, until he finally turned around and saw Junior following. He felt his patience with this boy begin to wear and he snapped, "will you stop following me like a lost puppy!" Mark said venomously. He saw Junior's face shift back into a baffled look like earlier in English class, and the same puppy pout made it back on the younger boy's face. "Listen up pretty boy, I going to save you the trouble and tell you right now we are not going to be friends. So just give up, it is honestly not worth your effort to be my friend, you gain absolutely nothing from it. Everyone else usually would give up on me by now, you should too." Mark said coldly. He expected the boy to run away, but obviously Mark underestimated the boy. Jinyoung face changed from his pout, to startled from Mark's outburst, and then a look of understanding and determination; it made Mark slightly uneasy looking at Junior's determine face. Junior walked up to Mark, "You, I was wondering why you are so cold and mean, but I just realized that you’re neither of those adjectives. You're just scared and sad, and I don't know why. However, I do know that I am not "giving up" trying to be your friend because you may think I would gain nothing from it, but you’re wrong. I'd get to be able to make you smile and that would be enough for me. So Mark Tuan don't take my kindness lightly, because I genuinely care." Mark was stunned by the boy's words that he couldn't even keep his poker face. Before Mark could even think, he heard his voice asking Junior why, without the permission of his brain. "Why?" "because you should know that someone cares" was all Jinyoung said before walking past Mark. And for the first time, someone walked away from him without giving him a chance to speak. However, Jinyoung stop half way down the hall before turning and saying, "by the way I wouldn’t get too cocky if I were you. I wasn't following you, this just the only way I know to get to the gym. You have a handsome face and all, but I don’t stalk people." Jinyoung's face was full with amusement, as he saw Mark's face flush. Mark watched his roommate walk away, stunned. Until the bell rang and he realized he was late to Gym and was going to get laps from coach lee.

                Mark arrived 10mins late to class and was panting by time he burst through the door, he heard Jackson snickering at him and saw Junior smirking at him. Mark mentally face palmed himself for what felt like the millionth time today, “This guy is everywhere” Mark thought exasperated. “Well what do we have here. Mark seeing as you’re already warmed up, you’ll be running 5 laps around the gym for your tardiness. Start running!” coach lee stated unamused with the intrusion to his class. Mark visible rolled his eyes, “another -hurt loser” Mark muttered underneath his breathe. You see Coach happened to be his Junho hyung, who was friends with Nichkhun and Taecyeon. Also, according to Mark another sore loser like Taecyeon, who likes to torture him because the older can’t be him in Nba 2k17 either. Mark was about to go run his laps, when he heard some speak “Excuse me, coach Lee. It’s my fault Mark is late. I couldn’t find the Math teacher’s office and I had to hand in a placement exam to her, but Mark offered to drop it off for me and that’s why he is late. I’ll run his laps for him.” Mark heard Junior say. Junho looked back and forth between the two, before laughing “that was good one Junior-shii, Mark offering to help some.” “It wasn’t supposed to be funny, it is the truth.” Junho was generally surprised at the seriousness of Jinyoung’s voice. “Wow. Mark Tuan helping someone, who would have thought I live to see the day” Junho said teasing Mark. Mark saw Junior wink at him, telling him to play along “honestly, even as you tell me this Junior-shii. I can’t seem to believe it” Mark rolled his eyes at Junho’s display of drama. “Well believe it, and it’s your big eared friend’s fault. He left Junior to wake me up. So I had no choice but to help him.” Junho finally bought the story now that Mark actually said something confirming it. “Fine, sit down you don’t have to run laps. If I were you I’d thank Junior, to be able to stand up for you and your scary face. I would’ve let you run the laps regardless.” “not everyone is a sore loser” Mark muttered lowly. But if Junho heard it he refused to acknowledge the accusation. “Since you missed my instructions because of helping Junior. He can explain what I just told the class to you. Everyone I’ll pair you up.” Junho said. “Well, let’s start with Mark, who would be able to deal with such a scary face.” Junho said intentionally skipping over Jackson who eagerly wanted to be Mark’s partner. “Really, no one!” “Oooh coach me pick me!!” “really not a single person okay” “coach I’ll be his partner” Jinyoung said smiling sweetly again. Junho was dazzled by his smile and was internally fanboying over the boy. “Oh. You don’t have to since we have an uneven number of people. I’ll just pair up with Mark, he doesn’t play well with others” Junho said in the nicest voice anyone had ever heard him speak in. Mark was disgusted by his hyung’s outward display of affection for his roommate, “huh, a grown like him fanboying over his student. erted old man.” Mark thought. Just to spite Junho, Mark said “Fine I’ll work with Junior”. Everyone was shocked Mark had willingly chose to work with someone. “I must be heaven, Mark Tuan willing to partner with someone.” Junho said over dramatic again. “MARK!! NO!! How could you leave you best friend alone” Jackson wailed being over the top, in true Jackson Wang fashion. Mark sighed, but before he could pacify the idiot, someone else beat him to it. Mark saw Junior by Jackson’s side in a flash, obviously not used to Jackson, Junior hugged the boy and patted his back. “Aww. Don’t be sad! You can partner with us too. Doesn’t that sound better!” Junior said pacifying Jackson like a mother would do to a child. The sight of nuturing Jinyoung made everyone swoon and Junho fanboy even more. Mark just stood up appalled at the sight, Jackson was burying his face in Junior’s chest. Mark knew Jackson wasn’t really upset, but Jinyoung did not and Jackson happily played the part of heartbroken friend, because he loves skinship and Junior’s hugs were warm and cuddly. No one seemed to inform Jinyoung of this fact, because they were to busying fangirling and fanboying over the sight. Mark walk over to the two and pulled Jackson out of Junior’s embrace. “okay, that’s enough and stop making that disgust face Jackson” Mark said seeing Jackson’s pout after being stripped of his sympathy hug. Before Jackson could complain, Jinyoung turned to Mark and pouted “that’s mean! How could you do that to your best friend?” Mark didn’t like seeing Junior’s upset pout direct towards him, “He is faking look at him, he is perfectly fine” and Jinyoung looked over at a perfectly fine, Jackson. Jinyoung’s pout disappeared “hey! How come your all better now?” Jackson sheepishly grinned at the boy, “oh you see, I’m usually just like this. Mark doesn’t really pay much attention to it. But you did and I was gonna tell you I was kidding, but your hugs are so warm” Jackson said guilty. “you didn’t have to lie for a hugged though” Jinyoung said not like being tricked. “really! You mean that!” “well yeah” and Jackson glomped Jinyoung and stared at his face. “Wow! Mark was right you are extremely pretty.” Jackson said fawning over Jinyoung. Mark saw Junior turn to him and smirk, Mark felt himself blush and smack Jackson for being and idiot. Jackson unattached himself from Jinyoung and rubbed his head, “aww! Not you too”. Mark was not amused, “Stop being a leech and get to work, and you pretty boy don’t look so pleased.” Mark said trying to shake off his embarrassment. Jinyoung chuckled, “don’t worry, I’m not! I mean you’ve been calling me pretty boy since we met. It’s not new.” Mark felt stupid, he really only called Junior by his name once.

                Anyways, the boys partnered up and start running drills for soccer. Mark and Jackson never played soccer, but they were natural athletes and were able to do the drills okay. Junho split the class into teams Jackson and Mark were on the same team. While Jinyoung was on the opposing team, Jackson went on a rant on how the wild and y Jackson Wang will defeat, Jinyoung’s team.  The coach decided to bring the second years out of the weight room and mix them in with the fourth years for a scrimmage. “Junior hyung!!” Mark heard some yell loudly and run passed him crashing into Junior, his roommate just acted as if it was normal and caught the boy in a hug. “ah Youngjae-ah. I didn’t know you had Phys ed at the same time” Mark hear Junior say sweetly to the boy, named Youngjae. The Youngjae guy nodded his head quickly, Mark thought the boy would get whiplash. “yeah. I missed you hyung!” “I missed you too” Mark rolled his eyes at the drama in front of him, until he saw his roommate kiss the smaller boy’s forehead. Mark narrowed his eyes at the two, “Huh, I guess he “cares” for everyone” Mark thought bitterly. Jackson was going to comment about how Mark should react like that to him, but noticed Mark’s mood wasn’t that good. ‘I wonder why he looks so pissed” Jackson thought clueless, “Mark you’re going to burn holes into Junior if you keep staring at him like that” Junho said, only to see Mark extremely pissed and wondered what had gotten into him. Jinyoung looked up at Mark and saw he looked angry and Jinyoung wondered what had happen, he sent a question glance to Mark only to get and icy, cold glare.  Youngjae oblivious to the whole situation dragged his hyung off saying, “Come on Junior hyung, we’re on the same team” Jinyoung didn’t have a chance to spare another glance at Mark. Which only seemed to piss Mark off more, even Jackson stayed away from Mark, feeling the anger radiate off his friend.

Jinyoung started off the first half as goalie and everyone was impressed, even Mark despite his anger. Jinyoung didn’t let one shot pass him and blocked everything even when his team screwed up. Youngjae also made everyone shock, he didn’t look athletic at all and was playing offense really well. He left Jackson and Mark in awe, stealing the ball from the two and passing by making his second shot right before the first half finished. Jinyoung approached Mark, Jackson and Youngjae, and Jackson was fanboying about how amazing Junior and Youngjae were, Mark was about to compliment Junior. When Youngjae was fanboying worse than Jackson over Junior, and Mark saw Junior blush. Mark’s irritation came back all over again, until he realized that he had no reason to be. “Youngjae you were amazing. You are such a good player, you looked so cool” Junior gushed and Youngjae got shy, Junior compliment Jackson also. Right when he was about compliment Mark. Junho blew the whistle signaling the start of the second half. Youngjae pulled Jinyoung away before he could compliment Mark. Mark’s anger came back again this time on full blast. Mark felt cheated, when he didn’t get his compliments and he was way better than Jackson. “Huh! Friend? He didn’t even compliment me, and he was going on about caring about me, not even two hours ago” Mark mumbled, the aura around him getting darker and darker. The second half started and the goalies changed from Junior to Youngjae, and people thought Youngjae was good. They were all mouths agape when they saw Junior play, they have only seen sweet Junior, but when he was playing he was fierce and rough. He even knocked Mark down at one point, stealing the ball from the older. He also kicked the ball away from Jackson and it hit the side of Jackson’s face and the boy complained, Junior went to his side and rubbed his head. Until the ball came to his goal again and the he quickly shoved Jackson away and blocked the ball. Although, Mark wasn’t happy getting knocked over. Mark did enjoy Jackson’s misfortune, Mark finally got the hang of the game and was the best player on his team. He wanted to show off to Jinyoung from some reason and get the compliment he felt he rightly deserved. He kicked the ball really hard before the last seconds were up and it knocked Youngjae in the face and rolled in the goal. Mark didn’t realize that Youngjae didn’t get back up, and was waiting for Junior to come over and congratulate him, but he never came. When Mark turned he saw Junior holding on to Youngjae, walking out the gym. If Mark was mad before, he was now seething ignoring the compliments from the coach and Jackson and left to change his clothes.

                Junior had taken Youngjae to the nurse, and waited for the nurse to treat the younger. She gave Youngjae an ice pack, and sent them off. “Are you okay?” “yeah I’m fine hyung!” Jinyoung huffed upset “I can’t believe Mark; I know it was an accident but how can he not even apologize or at least check to see if you’re alright. I can’t believe he stood there looking pleased.” Junior ranted off, Youngjae felt a sweat drop seeing Junior all worked up. “Hyung it alright. He made a really good goal he should feel pleased.” Jinyoung pouted because when he thought about it was a really nice goal, and really impressive seeing as the older didn’t really play soccer. Jinyoung dropped Youngjae to his dorm, before going to his class. Jinyoung walked in class to his last class, his teacher told him to sit down, that Junho had called ahead of time informing her, that he’d be late. Jinyoung apologized regardless and went straight over to a desk where he recognized the person sitting with his head down. Although, Jinyoung knew there was more seats, he decided in sitting next to Mark. Mark heard Junior come in and he didn’t expect the boy to choose to seat next to him. He heard the boy sit down and after a while scoff at Mark. Mark was really not in the mood and was going to ignore the younger, until heard Junior speak. “you know, you really are something else. I mean I get you don’t talk to new people and all, and your social skills are non-existent.  I even get if you couldn’t apologize, but the least you could do is check on Youngjae, to see if he is okay. He has big bruise on his forehead thanks to you!” Junior scolded Mark. Mark tried to keep his temper down and ignored the boy. “On top of that you shouldn’t have looked so pleased with yourself afterwards.” Junior said angrily because of Mark’s silence. That’s when Mark finally snapped, “Get away from me, now!” Mark yelled angry and everyone even the teacher stopped and stared scared at the situation in front of them, all scared for Junior’s safety. Jinyoung was being stubborn and not really understanding how truly upset the older was, “no.” Mark was so angry his instinct was to punch Junior, and honestly, if was anyone else he would have. But for some reason his body wouldn’t move to hit the boy like Mark’s mind wanted. So Mark did something that no expected, he picked up his bag and walked away. Mark got up and left the class, the teacher even knew not to stop the boy, Jinyoung couldn’t understand why Mark was angry and didn’t think much of it.

                Mark had walked to his dorm and in the process, he met Youngjae on his way into his dorm. “Hey Mark sunbae, that was a really good kick.” Youngjae said, but quickly ran in his dorm when seeing Mark’s scary face. Mark just watched the boy rush to his room, and after a while went to his dorm. Mark let out a frustrated yelled, he wanted to be angry at Youngjae but younger didn’t do anything to him and even compliment Mark after he injured the boy.  Mark wanted to be angry at Junior too, because it’s all his fault really. If Junior didn’t try so hard to be his friend and try care for Mark, Mark wouldn’t have craved praised from the younger so much. Mark just realized what he said and let out another frustrated yell. “Why should I care so much about what Junior thinks?” Mark said to himself and the ruffled his hair angrily. Mark went to take a shower, to cool down and sort out all his anger. What hell is Junior doing to me? Why should I care about what he thinks? He wants to be my friend, not the other way around?” Mark voiced out. That’s when Mark realized he want to hear Junior praise him, because he makes him feel special. Mark got scared at the thought that, that was how he felt when he wanted his parents praise. “No! Stop it right now. You not going through that again Mark! That’s it you’re going back to ignoring Junior again!” Mark told himself. He got out the shower and changed and he was about to go dry his hair and go to bed early. However, Mark remembered Youngjae and the bruise on his head, he didn’t mean to hurt the younger. Mark sigh and ran out to the store and bought some bruise ointment and painkillers, it started rain. “!” Mark started running back to the dorms, but got caught in the wind and rain. Mark ran as fast as he could, but was still drench in rain and freezing cold. Mark ran to Youngjae’s dorm and knocked on the door. Youngjae opened the door and was shocked when he saw a soaking wet Mark. “Omg! Mark sunbae are you okay?” Mark just pulled out a plastic bag from his jacket and handed it to Youngjae. “huh? What’s this?” Mark just ignored him and turn to walk away, but stopped “I didn’t mean to hit you.” Was all Youngjae heard and the Mark sped off to his room. Mark walked in his dorm and went to his room, stripped off his wet clothes, changed his boxers and went to bed.

                Jinyoung was tutoring a kid in the library after class, Jinyoung finished after two hours. As Jinyoung was walking to the dorm area he heard someone call his name. He turned around and saw JB and Jackson coming towards him. “Hey JB, Jackson!” “Hey Junior” JB replied “Hey Junior, I heard Mark blew up at you in class and then left. What happened?” Junior’s expression visible shifted and JB and Jackson, felt the atmosphere get cooler. “I don’t know he was throwing a tantrum like a child, when he decides to talk like a normal adult, I’ll be waiting” JB and Jackson cringed at Junior’s words, he was just as scary as Mark they both thought. “Ah he isn’t answering me or Jackson’s calls and we stopped by your dorm and he didn’t answer, we were worried.” Jinyoung calmed down a bit, “yeah, Mark usually doesn’t ignore us unless he is really upset. I know Mark can be a lot to handle sometimes, but don’t give on him Junior” Jackson pleaded. Jinyoung’s eyes soften, “I’m not going to, I know his default reaction is to push people away. I will check up on him don’t worry, you guys” They both smiled at how easily Junior shift to caring, Jackson gave Junior his number and told him to update him on his best friend and then he and JB left.

Jinyoung walked to the store to get groceries and then stopped by Youngjae’s to check on the boy. Youngjae opened the door and was greeting with Yugyeom and Bambam, “what are you guys doing here” “I heard Youngjae hyung was hurt and brought Yugyeom with me to check up on him, since you had work.” “Yeah, I brought video games to play.” Jinyoung smiled at the two and went to Youngjae, “hey! How you feeling?” “good” “your bruise looks better.” “really? I used this ointment Mark sunbae brought for me.” “What? Mark came here?” “Yeah I met him in the hall and I told him his kick was really good, but he looked really mad and was staring at me. So I ran inside. Then about an hour later he came back soaking wet and brought some ointment and painkillers. I think he went out in the storm and got me this stuff. I didn’t know he was so nice. He even told me he didn’t mean to hurt me.” Youngjae told Jinyoung. Jinyoung’s felt proud of Mark after hearing that, but then instantly felt bad about scolding Mark earlier. “hey, Youngjae since you’re feeling better, I’m going to go back to my dorm and check on Mark, is that okay?” “yeah go ahead, I have company anyways. Oh and Junior hyung can you tell Mark sunbae thank you.” “will do. Later guys!” Jinyoung said before leaving. Jinyoung went into the dorm and put away the groceries and then called for Mark. He didn’t hear any answer so he went to Mark’s room and knocked, he still didn’t get any answer. He turned the door and it was open so he went in, he saw Mark sleeping and was going to leave but he saw Mark shiver. He went up to the boy and saw he was covered in sweat, “Mark!” Jinyoung called worried and he placed his hand on the boy ‘s forehead and it was burning up.

Jinyoung ran outside and got a large bowl and filled it with cold ice water, he picked up a cloth and went back to Mark’s room. Jinyoung took the boy’s temperature and got worried, his temperature read 102 degrees. He pulled off Mark’s sheet and began wiping the boy’s body with the wet cloth, not even bothering that Mark was only in his boxer.  After 10 mins of wipe the boy’s body, Mark stirred awake and saw Junior in his room. “Hey.” Mark let out a scratchy voice, Jinyoung jolted after hearing Mark’s voice. “Hey, don’t speak. You have a fever save your energy” Jinyoung said softly and continue wiping down Mark’s body. Mark shivered at the cold cloth on his skin, and he pushed Junior’s hand away from his body. “Stop! Just stop and get out!” Mark yelled, feeling Junior stiffen beside him. “please Mark, I know you’re mad, but let me take care of you, you are really sick” Mark knocked away Jinyoung’s hands frustrated. “No, I said stop. You’re going to pretend like you care and then ditch again when Youngjae needs you, or when Jackson needs you? Huh? You got mad at me for trying to show you I can play soccer! Then you go and compliment everyone but me, right after you told me you were gonna show me you cared and wanted to be my friend and see me smile. Well no thanks! Count me out, I’m not gonna stand around and wait till you find It convenient to care for me, just to ditch when someone else comes along. Just so you know the only thing you managed to do today was upset me, all day.” Mark said breathing heavily after expressing the surge of emotion that flowed through him. Mark calmed down and noticed Junior’s head down not saying anything. “Mark, I am sorry, so sorry for hurting you. You have every right to be mad at me. I didn’t mean to do that or make you feel that way. I just honestly wanted to your friend. I meant what I said though, I wanted to see you smile, when I saw you smile earlier today, I Knew you weren’t the person people said you were. I know you must hate me. But please let me just called the doctor for you, your temperature is really high. You need to go the hospital. And if you want me to leave you alone, I will. Jinyoung raised his face and it was streaming with tears and look so heartbroken. Mark’s whole body hurt and his head, but for some reason seeing Junior cry in front of him like that made his chest burn. Mark’s burning chest hurt more than anything else, and although he was mad at the younger for making him feel all those emotions, that he locked away. He also just wanted to see the boy smile again. Because even though junior looked angelic with those tears falling in his face, all Mark could think was angels shouldn’t cry.

“no!” Mark said and Jinyoung was about to protest saying he was really sick, but Mark interrupted him. “what happened to all that big talk today? You were saying you weren’t going to give up and now look at you, you want to pass me off to some doctor.” “but” “no buts, I’m not going to the doctor. So do what you have to do and stop crying, you aren’t supposed to cry. I’m the one who is hurt” Mark said. Jinyoung wiped his face, and began wiping Mark’s body down again. Mark shivering every time Jinyoung wiped down his body. Junior stop again, which caused Mark to look at him. “Mark, Youngjae told me what you did. I’m sorry I said those terrible things you. This is my fault, it is okay if you hate me and I can ask to room somewhere else after this.” Mark sighed hearing the boy’s broken voice and he didn’t like it, the burning feeling came back again after hearing it. Mark picked up Junior’s chin and forced the boy to look at him, “I kicked the ball. I hurt Youngjae because I got frustrated. I was too proud to apologize. I ran out in the rain and got sick. And I am sorry for making you cry. So please stop apologizing to me, if you really feel like you need to make it up to me, then continue on with what you told me today in the hallway.” Mark said gently to Junior, wiping tears from his face and Junior just hugged Mark. “Thank you, and you really were amazing today. You were the best player in my eyes” Jinyoung said softly. Mark hugged back and smiled because Mark knew Youngjae was better than him, but the fact that Junior thought he was the best made the chest pain go away. His insides felt like there was butterflies in there instead, but it was a good feeling this time. Junior release from the hug, “Even if you tell me to go away and you hate me, I’m going to stay by your side. So you better not regret telling me to continue.” Mark heard Junior say and Mark just hummed in agreement, and close his eyes, letting continue his work.

Author Comment

I finished early so you get a double update!

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