It was an extremely busy day at school, especially with the final exams before the holidays coming up. It didn’t feel quite like Christmas season for me despite the decorations all around Seoul. 

I still had my thesis and several group projects to complete before being able to finally relax. 

It had been about two months since the last time I saw Mark and Jaehyun. 

They were busy again preparing for another comeback for NCT 127, however, Mark and I have been texting and calling consistently. 

We spoke a lot more than Jaehyun and I had been at the time. 

We often find ourselves talking until 2 or 3am, and he keeps me company while I study or if I need help with anything. We’ve gotten to know each other a lot more…and my feelings have only grown deeper. 

I was in my business administration class one afternoon, working on a project for my finals. 

*Beep* 

Mark: Hey you. How’s class? 

Eunji: Barely hanging on haha. Are you at practice? 

Mark: Yep, can’t stop thinking of you though. 

Eunji: Are you flirting with me? 

Mark: When am I not? 

Eunji: Haha, you’re right. 

Mark: Hm, how’s that business administration class? 

Eunji: Wait, I never told you I was in business admin. 

Mark: Mhmm. 

Eunji: What? 

I looked around and there he was: standing by the window of my classroom. 

Since it was a free period with no professor to work on our projects, I quickly got out of my seat and ran towards him. 

I hugged him tightly, my arms wrapped eagerly around his neck and his wrapped around my waist. 

“I missed you,” he whispered, slowly caressing my hair. 

I smiled, burying my face into his gray hoodie, “I missed you too.” 

“Can’t I steal you away? I wanna take you out on a date,” he said, grabbing my hand. 

“You know I can’t. I have to finish this project.” 

“Mark Lee?!” a girl screamed from afar as people started crowding around him to take a photo while I was pushed aside. 

He looked as if he wanted to get out of the crowd and his eyes were wandering to find me. I was shocked by how quickly students at my university were able to recognize him.

 But, at the same time, I was proud. I knew he deserved all of this recognition.