‘What is this?’ Jb’s voice resounded in their dorm. He was holding the cancelled contract letter in his hand, as he stared at Mark in utter disbelief

He expected his leader to be angry and hateful but he sounded more frustrated and shocked than anything.

‘It’s exactly what you think it is’ Mark replied softly, clutching his shoulder bag tightly and his eyes fixed on the floor. He didn’t have to strength to look at Jb and answer the questions he knows is coming his way. That’s why he picked now of all time, when all the members are out and he is alone with him, to break the news to their leader that he is quitting the band.

‘Why?’ his voice sounded so broken and dejected that it made Mark look up at him, only to avert his eyes the next second.

Why? How is he supposed to answer that question? He knew he would ask this but how should he explain how out of place he has been feeling for the past year? Feeling like he has nothing to offer to the group and how replaceable he is.

He couldn’t say that it wouldn’t make a difference if he was here or not. His inability to bond and talk lead him to being neglected and ignored by the rest of the group. The worst part is that none of them even intend to ignore or offend him anyway, it just happens and like Jackson said, he really is like a wall and while he tried to smile and laugh along with the rest of them at the comment, it hurt. After a while he got used to it but wanted to escape all this nevertheless. He grew tired of crying himself to sleep every night. At least away from all the stardom and cameras, he won’t have to feel bad about being the way he is.

Staying here day by day it was killing him, feeling like you are not enough for anything, no matter how many compliments you hear, it’s never enough when you come back to your room and fight the urge to scream your lungs out just because of the way you are. He didn’t belong here.

But how was he supposed to say this to Jaebum? No, he didn’t need to hear this so he came up with a simple yet honest answer that summed up his emotions.

‘Because I’m not happy’ Mark confessed with a trembling voice while looking straight at Jb this time. Mark must have looked as broken as he sounded because Jaebum faltered and didn’t doubt his claim.

‘Did we do something? Are you upset at any of the members? At me?’ Jaebum’s pleading was making this very hard for Mark. He was not used to seeing the usually calm and poised leader look so devastated. He felt guilty for being the cause of it but he knew this was for the better.

He shook his head and gave a small smile ‘No, you guys are my only family here and I love you all a lot. More than you know’ He whispered the last part

‘Then WHY Mark? damn it why?!’ Jb yelled sounding absolutely distraught, making Mark flinch

‘I’m sorry, I really am. I can’t-I don’t want to stay here anymore, I have nothing to offer to GOT7, trust me nothing will be different-‘ He paused at Jaebum’s sharp glare but continued when he realized that he needed to get this done before the other members were back.

‘You all are so talented, nothing will come in the way of your success, certainly not me. I will always support you guys, no matter where I am and how I am.’ Mark said firmly with so much sincerity that Jaebum had to fight back tears.

‘How about us?’ Jb said with a challenging stare after a pause

‘What do you mean?’

‘US! Forget the fame, the fans, this whole business. What about the six of us? We are friends first and then idols! You said we are your family? So what’s making you leave your family so early in the journey? What is the reason you are so unhappy Mark? What did we do for you to abandon us like this?’

Mark shrunk back from Jb’s outburst and averted his eyes from him again, but Jb wasn’t done.

‘If you are feeling insecure, then talk to us! Let us reassure you that we need you and want you here with us! Don’t just make such big and rash decisions on your own! We are in this together, how could you be so inconsiderate and selfish?’

The accusation had Mark seeing red as he glared at Jb menacingly.

‘Really? You guys want me here huh? You care so much about me? Then let me tell you something that you probably d