Mark felt like an idiot. He had apologised to Haechan for being rude but then went and did it again. So what if Mark felt like everything in his world was crashing down because the one person he trusted the most and the one person he showered with all his love had decided to give up on their sweet and not less than that relationship? Doesn't mean he should be going and ruining other people's lives, or at least that's what Mark thought.

Haechan was trying to help him, although that wasn't exactly his job. Mark had called up the love hotline assuming they help you get over breakups but after talking to a few other people, he found out the hotline was actually for love advice and how to ask people out. So technically, Haechan wasn't supposed to be helping him but instead redirecting him to a hotline for people who got dumped.

Whatever the reason Haechan had for not abandoning him and leaving him to rot in his cave of self-pity and sadness, Mark was glad about it. As much as he believed he was an absolute burden on people -and the way Donghyuck never picked up his calls proved that exact thought- when he spoke to Haechan, he found himself listening to what the latter said about how he wasn't a burden and that he never could be.

"I need to apologise again," Mark took a deep breath and lay down on his bed. He held his phone tightly, making small wishes that everything goes well and Haechan forgives him a second time before he tapped the call button. It only rung two times before someone picked it up. Somehow, his calls always ended up with a guy called Yuta, and now he wasn't complaining that it wasn't Haechan directly, but this Yuta guy really intimidated him. His voice was soft but his tone was sharp, making Mark wonder how he gives love advice.

"Calling for Haechan?" Yuta asked, a small bit of irritation present in his voice and Mark quietly agreed. The call suddenly went back to the sound of some strange song and Mark bit down on his lip.

Hello?

Hey, Mark.

Oh, hi uh- you can tell it was me?

The number showed up on my screen.

Ah! Haha, of course it did. Haha...

Mark.

Yes?

I wanted to say, I'm sorry.

You're...sorry?

Yeah. I'm sorry I can't help you the way you wanted to be helped. I'm pretty sure I'm making this worse.

...

And you should probably talk to your friend Donghyuck about this stuff, you know?

Haechan...

Listen, it be a lot better once you talk to someone who you've known for a while.

Why can't that person be you?

Because other than knowing your break up story, I know literally nothing else. We're complete strangers, Mark. I wouldn't be able to help you the same was Donghyuck would be able to.

But I don't want to talk to Donghyuck about this.

Why?

I just don't want to.

That's not a good enough reason, Mark.

If I don't want to, then I don't. You can't force me to do something I don't want to do.

...

...

Okay, listen-

Also, don't apologise.

...why?

It's not your fault that I'm feeling like this. I'm just being...being dramatic. I'm crying over a break up, for what reason? Aimi has already moved on.

You're not being dramatic, Mark. Everyone is allowed to feel things.

Yeah, but me crying over someone who probably never cared about me is stupid.

It's not, and you need to understand that it's not.

Alright, anyways, it's late.

Yeah.

I'm going to sleep.

Okay.

Goodnight.

Night night, Mark.

Mark put his phone to the side and let out a loud groan. He managed to end the call in bad terms again and Haechan probably hated him at this point. He was being annoying and stubborn. He wondered how his friends tolerated him. He wondered how Donghyuck still tolerated him. With a sigh, Mark shuffled around on his bed and called Donghyuck. He didn't know what he was going to say, but he felt the need to hear the younger's voice.

Hello?

Mark?

Hey.

Hi.

What's up?

Uh, nothing...

Are you busy?

Kind of...

Oh, uh- sorry. I'll just, end the call...haha...

No wait!

Hm?

I'm not busy for you.

Mark took in a sharp breath before smiling to himself. Donghyuck always said sweet things to him, but it still didn't change the possibility that Donghyuck didn't like him. After all, Mark had just called Donghyuck in the middle of the night seeking comfort.

So what were you doing this late at night?

Uhm, nothing really. I was on call with Haechan again, you know the guy from that hotline.

You still call that place?

Yeah.

Mark, are you still not over Aimi?

...no.

Mark-

I know, I know. I shouldn't waste my energy or time on her.

It's a good thing you know that. Now act upon those words! In fact, I'm coming over tomorrow and we're gonna go on a date.

A what-

And that's final, Mark Lee!

Before Mark could say anything else, the call ended and Mark was left with the sound of his phone beeping. He blinked in confusion and took his phone away from his ear. Donghyuck always managed to shock him, and quite honestly, he enjoyed it.