—You are being transferred now.

Hello?

Haechan...

Oh, Mark.

Haechan, I'm so sorry.

For what? There's nothing to be sorry about.

No, no. I am at fault. I...I shouldn't have lashed out at you like that. I'm in the wrong.

...

I'm sorry.

It's okay. It's understandable. You were hurt.

I shouldn't have been.

Don't say that. You got hurt because you had feelings towards Aimi.

But that doesn't give me an excuse to take it out on you. So please, just- just accept my apology, please?

...

...

Fine. I forgive you.

I'm glad. After I ended the call I was...I was uhm- I was crying. Then my friend suddenly arrived and he helped me sleep.

Your friend?

Ah, yeah! His name's Donghyuck. He's my best friend. He's honestly one of the nicest people I know, no matter how much of a brat he is.

Haha...well is he a brat or a nice person?

A mixture of both! He annoys the hell out of me but also makes me feel grounded.

That's a sweet friendship you guys have.

Yeah, I'm thankful that he's in my life.

...

Do you have anyone like that? You know, in your life?

I do.

Oh?

Yeah...this guy...he's my best friend. We've known each other for ages and he's the only person who actually gets me.

Friends like that are to die for.

Yeah.

It's really late...

Oh, yeah! Oh my god...Mark, it's nearly 4 am, please get some sleep. Don't you have work tomorrow?

Uhh- yeah I do but...

But?

I can't sleep?

You can't?

No. I can't sleep.

Is there something keeping you up? Is it Aimi?

No, no! I've- I've always had an issue trying to sleep. It mostly happens when I sleep alone...

Have you gotten it checked out? Told any of your friends?

No...

Why?

I don't wanna worry them. They don't have to know about it. It's better this way.

Mark, you should tell people about this, or at least get it checked out. You need your sleep.

I know, I know. I try my best to sleep. Just never can.

...

Ahh! Sorry for killing the mood.

You didn't kill it at all, Mark. Don't apologise.

Hmm. But it sure seems like it.

No, Mark. You really haven't. Don't worry about it.

It seems like I ruin everything, haha.

Wait, what—

The mood always goes down when people hang out with me. Am I really that boring?

Mark—

Or maybe I'm too depressing. Is that a thing? Is that possible?

No—

The other day, Donghyuck seemed like he was tired of my antics as well.

That's not true—

It is! God...I'm such a mood killer. Jaemin and Jeno— ah, they're my friends — they don't hang out with me anymore.

Maybe they were busy?

Haha! Busy? Yeah, they were so busy sucking each others faces that they couldn't even wish me on my birthday.

Wh—

Actually, forget about my birthday, they couldn't even send me a single message? Yet, they have the time to post on Instagram and brag about how great their relationship is.

Mark...

...

Mark?

See.

What?

I ruined the mood.

No, Mark— don't worry about that.

No. I ruined the mood. For fucks sake! Why can't I just not ruin it?

You didn't do anything wrong—

I'm just...I'm just gonna go Haechan.

Wait, Mark. Don't cut the—

Donghyuck let out a deep sigh as he heard a beeping sound echo in his ear. He clutched onto the phone with frustration before placing it back down. He took a deep breath before exhaling it. Donghyuck couldn't find himself getting angry at Mark. The older was only hurt by Aimi and couldn't control his emotions. All he needed was help, not more things to be upset over.

Patting his jeans, Donghyuck pulled out his phone and tapped Mark's contact, seeing that he was active in social media. He didn't know Mark couldn't sleep at night. He had been friends with him since they were kids and he had no knowledge of this.

"What a great friend you are, Donghyuck," He chuckled dryly, shaking his head in disappointment before leaning forward and picked up the phone as it rung again. With a cheery voice and a fake smile over his face, Donghyuck said, "Hello! This is the NCT Loveline service, how can I help you?"