“Where’s Yugyeom?” Jackson asks as he approached the five men waiting by the school gate for him.

“He left early to go meet up with Jungkook.” Youngjae informs as Bambam tightens his grip on his backpack straps.

“Like the past two weeks whenever we go visit the internet cafe.” Bambam mutters not before the five men gave each other a knowing look. It was clearly visible that Yugyeom had been spending more time with Jungkook ever since they reconnected. Bambam was probably feeling left out, but being a good best friend he withheld his own feelings to let Yugyeom be happy.

Wrapping his arms around Bambam shoulder’s he pulls the younger man closer to comfort him. “Hey, why don’t I treat you to your favorite ice cream before going to the internet cafe? Hmm?” Jackson asks trying to cheer up Bambam only it didn’t work when the redhead only gave a weak smile. “Come on buddy.” Jackson says before dragging Bambam down the street. Jaebum and Youngjae walking side by side behind the two.

Mark felt a nudge to his arm knowing well it was Jinyoung who nudged him. Turning to look at Jinyoung who was sporting a concern look points to Bambam. “Do you think Bambam is feeling well enough to be around Yugyeom and Jungkook?”

Giving a shrug he looks down the street seeing Jackson trying to make the younger male laugh. “I don’t know, Bambam knows well enough not to start an argument in a place so public.”

“I hope you’re right,” Jinyoung replies back biting his bottom lip before releasing a sigh, “Bambam’s just been feeling so down because Yugyeom’s been talking about Jungkook nonstop. Not to mention hanging out with him more than with Bambam like before.”

“I know, but stop worrying about those two. They’re old enough to solve their own problem...well at least I hope they are able to.” Mark adds, in the end, earning a soft chuckle from Jinyoung.

Grabbing Mark by the hand he tugs him forward with him, “Come on Mark hyung.” Jinyoung calls with a smile that warms Mark’s heart. When he lets his hand go running after Jaebum and Youngjae, Mark could only pout missing the warmth of Jinyoung’s hand on his. Running after his five friends he goes to hook his arms around Jinyoung’s shoulder when he caught up to the younger male. Sporting a grin at Jinyoung who looks at him with fondness they walk to the internet cafe together.

“You guys finally made it. Took you guys long enough to get here!” Yugyeom greets without taking his eyes off the computer screen. He was currently engaged in a heated video game with Jungkook. Jackson throws his backpack to their occasional booth where Yugyeom and Jungkook’s backpack was laying on the table.

“Let me join in the fun!” Jackson says excitedly while taking the seat beside Jungkook meanwhile bringing up the current video game the two younger one was playing.  

“No way hyung, you have to wait until we’re done with this round.” Yugyeom retorts back vigorously tapping on his mouse and keyboard. “Ah!” Yugyeom whines when his character loses to Jungkook who fist pumps the air. “I still can’t beat you after how many years.”

“Now that your game is over let me join!” Jackson begins joining the server the two boys were in. The rest of the boys began putting down their backpacks while Bambam idly slides to sit in the booth with a cup of ice cream that Jackson had bought him earlier. He was quiet and that was enough for Jinyoung to be concerned for him. Youngjae was just feeling the same, sitting beside Bambam in the booth to keep him company instead of playing video games. Meanwhile, Jaebum took a seat and the computer beside Yugyeom to join the fun as well.

Mark goes to take a seat across from the redhead in the booth, it wasn't like Yugyeom's behavior irked him or anything. He just found it sad how the tall boy didn't bother to greet his best friend when he ditched him earlier to meet up with his childhood friend. Jinyoung took a seat beside Mark, leaning across the table slightly to put his hand over Bambam’s giving him a soft squeeze of affection. Murmuring low and soft words of ‘don't mind Yugyeom he’s just to wrapped in meeting his childhood friend’.

Bambam didn't quite respond, only giving a tight smile before stuffing his mouth with ice cream.

“Are you sure this is where Jungkook told us to meet him?” A male’s voice echoes down the hall before coming into view. Mark took a glance in that direction to see a man with brown hair talking to another male walking beside him who was an inch or two shorter than him with silver hair.

“Yeah, Kookie said it's here.” The silver hair responded as two more guys behind him and brown hair came into view. As if noticing Jungkook who had his back turned towards him he gave a shout, “Yah Jeon Jungkook! Thanks for ditching your hyungs and making us walk and find our way here ourselves!” Speeding up his walk he headlocks Jungkook pulling him back slightly in his chair so the guy had a harder time reaching his keyboard and mouse. Jungkook whines as this leave him vulnerable for Jackson, Jaebum, and Yugyeom to attack him causing him to lose.

“Hyung!” Jungkook whines as the silver-haired man release his hold while snickering. “That's what you get.”

As Jungkook swivels his chair around to face his hyung he gets up from his seat while gesturing around the men the in the room. “Guys I want you to meet my friends from Sejong Science High School. The man here,” Jungkook pats the silver-haired man on the shoulder with a smile, “is Park Jimin he's a second-year along with his best friend Kim Taehyung.” He points to the male with brown hair from earlier who gave a friendly wave to the group. “The man behind Taehyung is Kim Namjoon who's a third-year alongside Jung Hoseok standing beside him.”

Both men with similar heights sported a smile along with colorful hair. Namjoon had a slight dark and soft purple hair while Hoseok sported orange hair saying, “Just call me Hobi.”

“Finally those two men who walked in last are Kim Seokjin and Min Yoongi.”

“Please just call me Jin.” The man Seokjin said with round glasses and black hair said.

“No one cares really.” The man beside him who was probably two inches shorter commented. He had soft blonde hair coming across as nonchalant and without worries. Mark couldn't help but notice how colorful Jungkook’s group of friends hair were. It was unique and quite captivating. The only colorful hair in their group was Jackson and Bambam.

Yugyeom was quick to jump in and introduce every one of his friends as well. By the time everyone introduced one another a few of them were playing online video games with one another.

Of course, Yugyeom was still engaged with playing games with Jungkook who had Jackson, Jaebum, Hobi, and Jin also involved. Meanwhile, the rest of the group were talking to each other at the booth while some of them pulled up chairs from the computers. It wasn't hard to start a conversation between the boys from the other school. There was the awkwardness at the beginning at first, but soon enough it was replaced with comfortable chatter. Mark was never much of a talker, he preferred listening and making some occasional comments since he never really knew what to talk about. He couldn't help but notice Bambam doing the same. Although he was usually quite the chatterbox when it comes to gathering like these. Yugyeom's actions must have really impacted him.

“Mark hyung, what are your hobbies? Do you like to sing?” Taehyung asks who was sitting beside Jinyoung at the booth. Leaning slightly back in his seat to look at Taehyung he shook his head.

“Nah, I don't really sing.” Mark comments as the younger male furrow his brows in thought.

“Do you prefer rapping more then? Jiminie and I love going to karaoke. You should join us! I always wanted another person to rap with! Namjoon, Yoongi, and Hobi hyung are fantastic rappers and they never let me - a rookie rapper rap with them.” Taehyung pouts on the last sentence making Mark’s heart melt for being so adorable. He was adorable like how Mark see’s Youngjae, Bambam, and Yugyeom act. He could only grin widely in response to Taehyung’s invitation.

“Sure, that sounds like fun.” Mark say when Jinyoung leans back in his seat blocking Mark from seeing Taehyung. Jinyoung looks at Taehyung then at Mark with a smile.

“Let me join too! I’ve had my fair share of singing back in middle school and my music teacher said I have a beautiful voice.” Jinyoung says looking into Mark's eye with something Mark couldn't decipher. But what Mark did know was the shared eye contact had Mark’s heart skipping a beat and for him thinking, ‘I wonder what his voice sounds like when he sings?’

“Sure Jinyoung hyung!” Taehyung replied back not even noticing the stare Jinyoung and Mark had. The guy quickly pulls Jinyoung in another conversation with him and Jimin who was sitting beside him in a computer chair as Youngjae was engaged in a full-on talk with Yoongi beside him in the booth about piano lessons or songs or techniques--whatever it was, Mark lost track of. Namjoon had gone to watch the boys play their game and Mark was quick to see a sulking Bambam playing with his now empty ice cream cup with his spoon. Sitting across from him has its benefits he guessed.

Mark gently kicks Bambam’s foot from under the table to not bring attention to Bambam or himself. The younger male looks up to make eye contact with Mark. “Hey, you alright Bam?” Mark asks loud enough for only Bambam to hear.

He watches as Bambam play with his empty ice cream cup and spoon some more before he eventually stops. Letting out a small sigh and a small shake of his head.

“I mean, not really Mark hyung. I just don't really want to be here right now. Jungkook’s friends are nice and I like them, but I just don't feel in the mood to talk today.”

“What about Jungkook? Do you like him?” Mark asks the question all of his friend except for Yugyeom seemed to question these past two weeks.

Turning his head to look at his best friend and his best friend childhood friend shouting out words he turns back around to look at Mark. “I like him. I do. He's nice.”

“But?” Mark feel there was a ‘but’ in there somewhere.

“But, I just kind of wish my best friend would hang out with me a little bit more again. Am I being childish?” The redhead asks looking into Mark’s eye for an answer. Mark could only shake his head because no it wasn't childish at all. He just simply missed his best friend.

After all, Yugyeom was the first friend he made when he moved here from Thailand. Having to learn Korean and live in a new foreign place was hard. Especially when people constantly made fun of your accent or told you to go back home. So when a young Yugyeom introduced himself to a young Bambam back in middle school and designated him as his best friend young Bambam was beyond happy.

Yugyeom never made fun of his accent when he first started learning Korean, instead, he encouraged and helped him until he was finally able to drop his heavy accent or make it decent enough that no one could hear it. The tall boy even took it upon himself to show Bambam around Seoul, sometimes even getting them both in trouble for staying outside exploring the place for too long.

He just simply missed his best friend.

Giving one last glance back at Yugyeom who was still absorbed in his game, he gives Mark half of smile. “I think I'm gonna just go home now. You guys have fun and don't tell Yugyeom the real reason I left okay, Mark hyung?”

“I promise, get home safe and feel better alright Bam?”

“I’ll try.” Tapping Youngjae on the shoulder to tell the guy and Yoongi to scoot out so he could leave, both boys did as told. As Youngjae and Yoongi slide back in the booth the younger male looks at Mark with concern written on his face.

“Mark hyung, is Bambam okay?”

“Yeah, he's fine just feeling under the weather today. Must be the cold weather.” Mark lies, Youngjae stared at Mark a second too long because the younger knew the actual reason behind it. Instead of pursuing further perhaps he knows Bambam didn't want to cause a scene. He simply nodded his head before starting up his conversation with Yoongi again.

Mark felt a tap on his right shoulder. Turning to look at Jinyoung who was already looking at him gave Mark a comforting smile.

“That was sweet of you, you know? Talking to Bambam about how he was feeling.” Jinyoung compliment causing Mark to blush slightly.

“You heard our conversation?”

“Yeah,” Jinyoung answers reaching for the empty ice cream cup with its spoon Bambam had left on the table, “This was my favorite ice cream and he didn't even share.” He whines quietly causing Mark to chuckle. “It's not funny.” Jinyoung pouts as Mark who breaks out into a goofy grin once his chuckles stopped.

“I’ll buy you your favorite ice cream next time, okay?”

“I’m holding onto you with that.”

“You can hold on as long as you want.”

Rolling his eyes as if Mark told a cheesy joke the younger male couldn't help but break out into a smile. “Whatever.”

Putting on his backpack, Mark watched as Yugyeom give a hug to Jungkook bidding him goodbye. Meanwhile, the rest of Jungkook friends bid goodbye to them as well.

“Don’t forget your promise to go karaoke with Jiminie and me!” Mark hears Taehyung say to Jinyoung who laughs nodding his head. Causing Hobi to complain, about how come he didn’t know about this invitation and want to be invited to this said event. Jaebum who was beside Youngjae bids goodbye to Yoongi as Jackson who happened to take a liking to Namjoon hugs the guy happily.

“Jin hyung can you please get him off me?!” Namjoon yells as Jin who was standing to the side laughs at Jackson tactics.

“Come on,” Jin says moving towards Namjoon and Jackson breaking them up, “We gotta go since it’s getting late.” With a pout, Jackson reluctantly lets go of his arms wrapping around Namjoon who could only let out a sigh of relief. “Will keep in touch Jackson. You have Namjoon’s cell number you can text him all you want.” Jin advises as Jackson’s eyes sparkle as the idea hit him. Meanwhile, Namjoon shook his head in disapproval as Jin lets out another laugh. As the two walked out the internet cafe with the rest of the gang following behind Yugyeom seemed to finally notice something off.

“Where’s Bambam? Did he go to the bathroom? He always drank too much soda than his bladder could handle.” Yugyeom jokes, chuckling as Youngjae looks at Mark warily unsure of how the older male was going to react. Would he lie like Bambam told him too or tell him the truth?

“He went home.” Mark simply replied back noticing Yugyeom drawing a surprise face before furrowing his brow in confusion. “He’s just feeling under the weather today. Must be the cold weather.” He repeated his answer like how he told Youngjae earlier before. 
“Oh.” The younger male says with a look of concern. “I’ll swing by his home and see how he is before going home then. I’ll see you guys tomorrow!” Grabbing his backpack he dashes out the place not before hearing them say goodbye to him as well.

“Are you still going to have your piano lesson today Youngjae?” Jaebum asks with worry as Youngjae nod his head. Earlier today during lunch Youngjae had received news from his mom that his grandma wasn’t feeling well and had to take her to the hospital. Turns out his grandma had to stay overnight at the hospital and his mom would be sticking beside her which meant she wouldn’t be able to drive Youngjae to his piano lessons. “Can’t you skip it today?”

Shaking his head the younger male pouts, “My mom specifically said I can’t skip it. After all, she is paying my tutor and she knows how much I like my piano lessons.” Holding onto his backpack straps he tugs on it a bit, “My mom also told me not to worry about my grandma saying she’s being well taken care of at the hospital. My dad and I are planning on visiting her after my piano lessons.”

“How are you getting to your lesson?” Jinyoung asks with his voice laced with concern as well.

“I’m taking the bus there. My dad is going to come pick me up after my lesson. Don’t worry mom and dad .” Youngjae emphasizes those two words as Jackson wraps his arm around him laughing in the process.

“Yeah, don’t worry about our little Youngjae. He can take care of himself.” Jackson comments as Jinyoung grabs for his other best friend beside Jaebum. Wanting to strangle the guy who could only laugh.

“I still don’t like the thought of you taking the bus yourself. You rarely take the bus yourself. What happens if you get lost?” Jaebum shares his worries, it was known within their group how Jaebum seem to have taken Youngjae as his younger brother (since he was a single child). He always worries over Youngjae more than anyone else in the group.

“I’ll be fine Jaebum hyung.” Youngjae tries to reassure the older male who shook his head. 
“No, I’m going to take the bus with you and make sure you get to your lesson safe and sound.”

“But-”

“No buts because it’s already settled.”

“Just let the guy do as he said. You know he wouldn’t be able to rest if he doesn’t know you get there safely.” Jackson cuts in stopping the bickering between Youngjae and Jaebum. With a sigh, Youngjae nods his head while Jaebum throws his backpack over his shoulder. Looking over his shoulder he sends an apologetic smile towards Jinyoung who only motions for the three of them to go.

“It’s fine Jaebum, I want to know that Youngjae gets to his piano lesson safe as well.”

“We have such loving parents.” Jackson jokes bringing a loud laugh from Youngjae as Mark standing beside Jinyoung tries his best to show an unfazed face underneath how irritated this ‘Jaebum and Jinyoung parent thing’ makes him feel. It always happens whenever the guys joke about Jaebum and Jinyoung being their parents. He didn’t want either Jaebum and Jinyoung to be his parent.

“Please just drag Jackson out with you.” Jinyoung begs as Jaebum give him a smirk before doing as he was told with Youngjae following behind them. Mark watches as Jinyoung shakes his head while smiling amusingly. “I guess I should get going as well.” He turns to look at Mark without his smile faltering.

Mark could feel himself panicking internally. This was his chance to take the bus with Jinyoung since Jaebum wasn’t able to do so. He always wanted to take the bus with Jaebum and Jinyoung and now that one of them can’t accompany the other home this was his chance. “Let me take the bus with you.” He found himself saying before his brain could process the words first.

Mark could tell his sudden outburst had surprised Jinyoung because the younger male was looking at him with his mouth slightly open. “You don’t have to.” Jinyoung says finally as Mark shook his head.

“No, I want to. I want to make sure you get home safe as well.” Mark found himself saying feeling his ears turning red from embarrassment. It was quiet for a few minutes prompting Mark to think maybe Jinyoung really didn’t want him to take the bus and walk him home. He was about to open his mouth to dismiss the idea if Jinyoung didn’t want him to when the guy finally spoke.

“Okay, but we’re first getting that ice cream you promised you’ll get for me earlier.” The younger male says grabbing Mark by the arm tugging him towards the exit of the internet cafe. With a grin Mark willingly lets Jinyoung pull him out the place towards the ice cream shop Jackson had bought Bambam ice cream earlier in the afternoon.

What are your thoughts on Bambam? Do you think he's acting childish? How are you feeling about Mark and Jinyoung? Sorry for any grammatical errors and inaccurate depiction of Seoul/school system. Comments are most welcome. (: