Hallmark (Marked Series #3) | NCT Mark AU Fiction

Chapter Two

"No, go." I cut Mark off and turned to him who looked surprised. "I always hated it when people change their way towards friendship just because they're already in a relationship."

"The woman said it. Bros before hoes."

I glared at Johnny. Hoe? "Are you calling me a—"

"Not this time. Yep, we'll meet you at the entrance." Taeyong pulls Johnny with him before I could even stand up and slap my brother in the face. "Just don't take too long, dimwit! We're leaving after five minutes!"

When his friends were gone, I was alone with Mark again. I don't even know what to say at this point. I can be very mad easily but somehow these grudges never stay. I wonder how it would feel like to have someone to actually hate. Maybe I did sort of hated Yujin before but I never really admitted it myself.

"What will you be doing when I'm gone?" He asked and shrugged.

"Burn stuffs."

He tilts his head in disbelief.

"I'll be with Hikaru probably."

He doesn't say anything.

"Or at the office," I grinned playfully. "With Jonah."

He finally frowned.

I rolled my eyes. "I'll be in the drafting room. Alone. By myself. Like a loser."

"I'll come back after the treat. I'll call you." When he saw me nod, he turned and walked away so I decided to get out of this place myself as well. I headed to the cafeteria to eat instead so I can divert my attention elsewhere. I've had enough plates for two semesters and my hands are almost dead.

I sat by the nearest table and ate what I bought from the counter. Chips. There's nothing to eat but chips here after all. As I was eating alone, I felt empty again and I knew why I was feeling full yet hungry. I wasn't getting tired of being with Mark. In fact, I always wanted to be with him which isn't normal because people who stay with the same people get tired of each other and sending him off even if I didn't want to is apparently a product of my anxiety. I was scared of getting tired of Mark.

"Nami-chan,"

I turned to find that familiar person. "Hikaru!" I waved at his direction and he walks towards my table with a smile. "You're back."

He nods and takes a seat across me. "Where's Mark? I'm surprised he's letting you go out alone now. Last time I saw you guys, he wasn't even willing to let you go wash the dishes yourself." We both laughed.

"He went out with his friends."

He nodded. "You know I'm not usually a nosy person right? But this challenge I've been hearing."

I bobbed my head in frustration. "I don't even care about the challenge. I'm just embarrassed that they're posting my name in public. Is that legal?"

"Well social media is a platform for self-expression now. I guess you can only sue them for verbal abuse or cyber bullying but I doubt they'd accept considering that they're not really abusive and bullying?"

I sighed. That's what I thought.

"Don't tell me you're considering to accept the challenge?"

"What? No. Of course not. I was just—" Maybe I am?

"Because if you accept the challenge, it would only make you look like you're intimidated by those people."

I looked at Hikaru in guilt. Will I really look like I'm intimidated by them? "But—"

"You were actually thinking of considering it?"

"Well they're underestimating me and I don't want people to think that Mark's seeing a loser like me who's incapable of doing anything because I am not incapable, Hikaru. I am capable of something, at least." I looked down. "I just don't want people to say that Mark's standards are low just because I don't even have the balls to accept a stupid challenge."

"Because they are stupid challenges, Nami. I'm sure Mark—"

"I know. That's why I haven't done anything about it."

I see him nod. "Don't bite into their traps, Nami. Get a hold of yourself."

After cafeteria, I finished my works for the department and I was heading out of the campus to have some pork belly. I was going to come with Hikaru but he said he needed to finish a few errands for his department too and since I was craving for the meat, I went myself and I had no regrets. Pork belly is always really good and I'm happy I don't get to share it with someone.

"So good." I mumbled in satisfaction. The meat just melts in your—

"Ms. Fukuyama?"

I froze. I turned and saw a man in tuxedo standing by the door. "Y-Yes?" I mumbled despite how full my mouth was. What is a decent looking man doing here? He doesn't look like he would be eating in a place like this.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your meal but," he pauses and still stands like soldier. "The Chairman wants to speak with you."