f r i e n d s

f i f t e e n

Between the two of us Ten has always been the talented one. He can sing, dance, model. He can do just about anything. Whereas I'm the "smart one". Very awkward, and I sound like a whale doing mating calls when I try to sing.

I can twerk though 🤷🏽‍♀️

"Maybe we can have dinner tomorrow night, that way I can introduce you to the girl I've been seeing also!" Ten said as he rushed to the exit, so I nodded my head and motioned for him to just text me when he got the chance.

When my mom and dad finally got a divorce, it was because my mom was having a affair with Ten's dad because they worked together for so long.

I think Ten still feels a little guilty for what happened, even though both my mother and I have explained several times it had nothing to do with him.

I'm very thankful that he's my step brother, even if the circumstances in which it happened kinda suck. Like a lot.

-

I walked back to my dorm and plopped onto my bed. As I was starting to finally get comfortable, my phone started vibrating. It was Mark,

"Hey what's up?"

"Mel how fast do you think you can come to the studio?"

"Uh like 20 minutes?-"

"Well I already sent a Uber to your dorm, so just get ready!" and he immediately hung up.

That was weird, but I mean Mark has always been peculiar.

I changed my clothes and headed outside to the Uber. I was really tired but I couldn't help but be a little excited to see Mark and listen to his new music.

-

Once I arrived at the studio Taeyong was in the booth rapping his heart away while Mark was altering the beats and volumes of the track.

Stop baby don't stop
meomchuji ma
baby don't stop

Taeyong's husky whispers sent shivers down my spine as I watched how passionate both of them were. You could just tell that Taeyong enjoyed rapping and a little bit of singing, whereas Mark. Well Mark.

He loved everything about music.

Even when he wasn't the one rapping or singing, just producing the music and letting it flow through his entire body made him happy. Which in retrospect made me happy.

"What do you think?!" A smiley Taeyong yelled through the booth.

"I like it! It sounds really mature." I said with a smile, causing both of the boys to sigh with relief.

"I just need someone whose voice would fit this track" Taeyong said with stress laced into his deep voice.

"What about Jaehyun?"

"Strep throat"

"Taeil? Doyoung?"

"Both are already too busy with their own projects right now", I felt bad because both Mark and Taeyong seemed defeated.

"Well my brother is in town, I don't know if you would want-"

"TEN IS BACK?!?" Both boys yelled in excitement completely cutting me off mid sentence, typical.

"Yea he just got back today, I'm pretty sure he'll like the track and try to fit in time for it"

And with that Mark and Taeyong both began to jump around like small kids on Christmas.

"Can I talk to you?" I asked Mark quietly that way I didn't interrupt Taeyong's fangirling

"What's up love?"

"Ten wants to have dinner with me and you, but he doesn't know that it's going to be you"

"Huh?" Mark is so cute when he's confused

"I told Ten that I have a new boyfriend, he just doesn't know that it's you yet"

"Ahhh okay, do you want me to dress casual or boss attire-"

"Please stop"

-

For some strange reason I was really nervous, but I couldn't show it because I knew Mark was ten times more nervous than me.

As we entered the restaurant, a hostess greeted us immediately and asked for the name of our party.

"Chittaphon" I said with a slight giggle as the hostess led Mark and I to my brother's table. Once he noticed our arrival he smiled warmly but also scrunched his eyebrows together very confused.

"Wait so you're telling me that you two are dating now?" Ten said with a small giggle. I felt my cheeks get red as I began to do my worst habit.

Word vomit.

"No we're still just like best friends, I just didn't want to be alone tonight" oh my gosh Melanie why would you say that.

From the corner of my eyes I could see the hurt in Mark's face. He was pissed, but he played it off and nodded in agreement.

"Oof okay you guys scared me there!" Ten continued to laugh, "my girlfriend won't be able to make it to dinner tonight because she's feeling under the weather".

As the hours flew by, dinner was finally coming to an end. Mark mentioned the song him and Taeyong are working on which caught the interest of Ten greatly. They agreed to meet at the studio tomorrow night to lay down some basic vocals.

As we exited the restaurant, Ten and I gave each other hugs as we bid our farewells. Leaving Mark and I to finally talk to each other.

"Look I know what I said wasn't-"

"Melanie what are we?" Mark asked very bluntly, he seemed both passionate yet emotionless at the same time. It was intimidating to say the least.

"I don't know"

"Because last time I checked best friends don't have sex with each other. Or sleep together. Wait for each other continuously. Friends don't do the things I do for you Melanie."

When saying the last sentence Mark's voice cracked. I could tell he was hurt, and he has every right to be.

I shouldn't be confusing him just because I don't know what I want right now.

"I'm sorry Mark", in all honesty I wasn't quite sure what to say. I understand why he's upset, I would be too.

"Do you still have feelings for him?"

"I don't know Mark"

___________________________

Okay so "I am You" by stray kids is SO GOOD I'm literally obsessed, but I need to learn their names. So far I think Chan and Minho are my biases 😩

Also would you guys like it if I recommended a song to listen to in the beginning of each chapter that fits the mood or am I just being extra lol?

Okay love you guys thank you sm for reading!!! <3