Mark walked home, tired, and defeated. His best friend was ignoring him, and he didn’t know what to do with himself either. 

He’s spent most of his life denying and hating these things, and now when he finally did something about it, it cost him Hyuck. 

He didn’t even understand what the hell happened that night. Did he do it because he liked Hyuck? Did he do it to see if he actually could like a guy? 

Hopefully, no one knows what happened that night, no one besides Johnny, and now Hyuck knows that he likes him. 

He’s caused so many problems for his friends because of his denial. He’s hurt his friends because of himself, but why can’t they understand that he can’t accept it? He can’t be... gay. He can’t! He’s had girlfriends, he plays soccer! He’s straight! 

But if he’s straight, then why did he do that to Hyuck? 

Because he was drunk! Yes because he was drunk! 

No, that’s not true. He didn’t do it just because of that, and he doesn’t know what to feel about that, doesn’t know what to do.

He’s scared of talking to Taeyong, though the other had already been informed of Hyuck and his fight, but he couldn’t tell him the reason why.  

When he arrived at his home, he went directly into his room and fell onto his bed. 

He didn’t like how he feels so lost and defeated. How lonely he feels when he doesn’t have Hyuck. 

He hated how the boy ignored him and how the team kept mentioning that night. He hated how he didn’t know what to tell them because he didn’t know what to tell himself. He wanted to text the younger so badly, but somehow he knew the other needs time. He’ll come around just like how Mark always did. 

“What’s up, guys!” Tao’s voice sounded as he caught up with Yuta and Sicheng as they were walking to class

“Nothing much” Yuta answered as he threw an arm over Sicheng’s shoulder, possessive much Tao couldn’t help but think “Is that so, I wonder what happened to the two of you at the party” Tao winked at them. The two shared a glance before shrugging “Nothing much” Sicheng muttered, but his burning ears told a different story “Right” Tao snickered 

“Well, where did you go?” Yuta threw back “Probably to be with…” he stopped before continuing in a whisper “Sehun?” he threw Tao a smirk, who only shrugged but couldn’t hide the smile “Well, you know…” he stuttered, causing the others to chuckle “No biggy Tao, go get some” Yuta winked “Oh!” Sicheng suddenly blurted out “That reminds me” he let out “Kris was seriously messed up that night” 

“Yeah, he drank till he passed out, right?” Tao chuckled “Uhm” Sicheng let out, and Yuta threw the other a cautious glance “Right?” Tao spoke, and the other two exchanged looks again “Not exactly…” Sicheng let out, causing Tao to let out an annoyed breath “I knew it. They’re being quiet about something” he muttered “Actually” Yuta interjected “If you listen to the gossiping, it’s not like anyone is being silent about it” 

This made Tao stop in his tracks and stare at the others “What do you mean?” Yuta shrugged “Everyone knows about it, but I guess they don’t want you to know” at this comment Tao was fuming, why the hell wouldn’t his best friend tell him what he did?! “Okay, but don't get pissed, I seriously don’t know what they’re doing, don’t take it out on us okay?” 

“I won’t, but  I guess I need to talk to Kris very soon” the others nodded and the 3 continued to their class. 

In there, Baekhyun was staring outside the window as sorrowful as always. It has to be Chanyeol Tao thought. It can only be him that has gotten him in the slumps like that. 

“Hey guys” Tao whispered to the couple “Do you at least know what happened to Baekhyun?” 

The two shook his head, and that was it for Tao “Okay! We are having a meetup today! I’m gonna text the others, I can’t bear with not knowing what the hell is going on with my friends!” 

In the other classroom, Johnny walked in and sat down, ignoring Kris as always, but for some reason, something inside him was urging him to talk to him, so he turned around and looked the other, who sat deep in thought and spoke “Hey” 

Kris turned his attention towards Johnny “How are you?” the latter continued “I’m fine” the other answered “Thanks for asking” there was a silence before Johnny spoke again “Have you talked to Tao yet?” the other leaned back in his chair and shook his head “No, I don’t know how to” the other nodded at his answer, not knowing what to tell him. Their group is messed up lately, everyone is either fighting or just not on speaking terms, including Johnny and Taeyong. After their talk yesterday, Johnny is sure Taeyong is gonna ignore him. He’s rightful to do so. Johnny tried to manipulate him into telling him who he kissed, he messed with his feelings and hurt him in the process. Mark doesn’t speak to anyone lately, neither does Baekhyun. No one really knows why. 

While deep in thought, Johnny’s phone vibrated in his pocket and saw a new message from Tao in their group chat 

Closet chat: 

Taozi: Calling everyone! I don’t freaking care whether or not you are on speaking terms lately, cause we are meeting up at my house to talk through! If you don’t come Istg! I will come and talk to you in person because I don’t want any of you to hurt okay? Seen by: TaeTae, Kai, John, Yuta, Winwin, Baek

Taeyongiiee: Sorry, I can’t make it.

Taozi: Didn’t you just see what I read? 

John: Just leave him alone Tao 

Baek: Can’t come either

Taozi: Baek I’m not letting you get out of this. You have to come! I’ll drag you there myself! 

Winwinn: Baek you haven’t talked to anyone for days, just tell us what’s wrong

Baek: I don’t want to talk about it

Kai: Hahah, I can’t come either

John: Kyungsoo?

Taozi: Kyungsoo? 

Kai: Am I really that predictable? hahaha…

Taozi: Yikes get out of here! But next time, you have to come! 

Kai: I’ll do my best! haha...

YutaWhoLovesWinWin: Guys class is starting

Winwinn: Says you ;)

YutaWhoLovesWinWin: Says I ;))

Taozi: Yikes get out of the group chat if you have to flirt

YutaWhoLovesWinWin: ;)))

Winwinn: ;)))) 

Taozi: DON'T FLIRT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CLASS YOU ERS 

Winwinn: You know us so well <3 

Kai: Haha ^.^

Taozi:...

Johnny couldn’t help but smile. At least some of them are still normal. Even so he hoped Tao would let Taeyong go, and not go after him, even if he’s happy that Tao wants everyone to be friends and able to talk to each other, but it’s really none of his business. 

He put his phone back in his pocket just as the teacher came into the room.

Mark sat in his classroom, not listening to a word the teacher said, only wondering what to do about Hyuck. The boy ignored him in class, so Mark ignored him as well. He didn’t want to though, he just didn’t know what to do. Didn’t know who to talk to about it. He wanted to apologize to him as well, but he doesn’t even understand what caused the other to hate him. Was it because he didn’t believe Mark? Didn’t think Mark could actually like him? Love him? He hated that he could watch the other interact with all of his other friends; play around with Jaemin and Jeno in class, and talk to Renjun about the newest drama while Mark suddenly wasn’t a part of the group. It’s not like the others began to ignore him, he just slowly stepped away to let Hyuck breathe, meaning he got their friends, and Mark became alone. 

He looked at Hyuck for a moment, watching the other laugh at something Jaemin said, but then he turned his head and locked eyes with Mark, and his smile fell.

Mark quickly turned his head to the window, not wanting to hurt the other. 

He could hear Jaemin whisper to Hyuck questioning what was going on between the two, but Hyuck only let out a “Nothing” and changed the subject.

“Johnny” Kris spoke as they were leaving their class to go to lunch. The other stopped and looked at Kris “What?” Johnny asked, leaning on a desk “Who’s the other guy?” Kris let out, and Johnny wanted to laugh at him, just a bit but he couldn’t find the desire to do so. Somehow he felt bad for him “I can’t tell you” he spoke, which reminded him too much of the conversation he had with Taeyong “Why?” Kris asked, looking at him with tired eyes “Because if I do if you know who it is, what will you do? Talk to him? Tell him to never hang around Tao?” He spoke “You can’t do anything even if you knew who it was”

Kris didn’t say anything and neither did Johnny. It was minutes of silence before Kris silently spoke “I’ll tell you who you kissed that night if you tell me who Tao is seeing” 

For some reason, instead of feeling excited, and curious, he felt his heart drop. It hurt deep inside him “What if I told you I don’t wanna know?” 

A silence settled between the two for a moment before Kris spoke

“So you know” he let out, slowly locking eyes with Johnny

“I think it’s better for us to be in the dark for now. Neither of us is ready for the truth” Johnny gave as an answer and left the room. 

“Johnny!” A voice a sounded behind him and he turned around to see Tao walking towards him, and just as Tao had caught up with him, Kris came out of their class “Hey Tao” he spoke and the other greeted him back with a quiet “Hey”

There didn’t seem to be any tension between them, but maybe it’s because they’ve known each other for so long, that they know how to act normal when nothing is normal “Johnny can you go ahead?” Tao asked and Johnny nodded “You’re really on fire today huh?” he whispered and left the two. 

“What happened at the party?” Tao asked Kris “Where were you?” Kris shot back and Tao shrugged “I can’t tell you”

“Well then I can’t tell you either” Kris spoke and leaned against the wall of the classroom “Don’t keep secrets from me, Kris”

“You’re keeping secrets from me as well”

“Well, I’m not the one who’s being treated like ! Not the one everyone is whispering about!” Tao snapped at him, which made the other fall silent. No, Tao was not the one people were gossiping about, but how could he explain to him what happened? Explain that he attacked Johnny because he wanted to know where Tao went? 

“I can’t tell you” Kris softly whispered, eyes apologetic “Why?” Tao asked “Why not? You know I hate being kept in the dark, and now even my best friend is doing that to me” 

“I can’t tell you, because I don’t know how to explain it” he tried to reason “Try me” Tao urged, but Kris only shook his head “I can’t” 

“Why?” 

“Cause you’ll hate me” Kris whispered, not looking at Tao anymore. His eyes were focused on the floor instead. 

“No I won’t, you know that” 

“You will Tao” Kris spoke, and the other let out a deep breath “To be honest, I think I’ll hate you more if you don’t” 

“It happened because you left” Kris spoke, and didn’t say anything else “let’s go to lunch?” he said with a smile, ignoring the confused look on Tao’s face “Let’s join the others Tao” he urged, and the other nodded and started to walk towards the canteen with Kris behind him. 

"Tae, join us after school" 

"Tao, I already told you I can't"

"Right, you've got a beef with someone right?" 

"It's none of your business" 

"The one between you and Doyoung is none of my business- Wait it is! We're all in the same club!" 

"I'm not gonna let it hurt the club-" 

"That's what they all say! But it happened with Mark!" 

"I'm not-" 

"What is it even about? Are you fighting about someone?!"

"..."

"Is it Jaehyun?"

"Does it matter" 

"Not right now, cause there's something else going on" 

"Tao, that's really none of your business" 

"It's Johnny right?" 

"I said, It's none of your business!" 

"As long as it doesn't affect our friendship nor the team, it isn't, but as soon as it does, it is!"