Renjun takes a quick glance at Mark's avocado sandwich, which is ruined by now because everyone knows how fast avocado gets rotten if it's being left out the air for a little bit too long. Mark keeps staring at the girls at the other side of the practice room. They're giggling, whispering something which to Mark, he thinks it's just about makeup and boys.

- Hey, the mirror is gonna break if you don't stop boring holes into it.

Renjun scrunches his face, follows Mark's eyes and apparently, his friend is staring at the oh-so-famous-and-gorgeous Bae Joohyun. Unlike the other girls, she's taking her time to eat a roll of kimbap at the corner of the room. She's sweating like hell after the tragic dance lesson, but Jesus blessed her. Somehow Joohyun still manages to look amazing while being dread in sweats and all of a sudden, Mark feels uncomfortable.

His stomach growls.

- Imma take that if you don't eat it.

Renjun sighs and grabs Mark's avocado sandwich.

- She's never gonna lay an eye on you man, heck, she's never gonna even take one glance at your direction. You should know where you stand in her heart. But I doubt she even knows you exist.

Renjun's words seem to hit him hard like a firetruck. Mark is about to stand up, start a conversation with Joohyun to prove his friend is wrong but he stops himself just in time.

Mark bites his lower lip, seeing one of the seniors, walking over to Joohyun and sits down next to her. Mark's palms are sweating now. He rubs them against his pants and lets out a silent breath.

Lee Taeyong.

Mark feels like throwing up when Taeyong reaches out for Joohyun's face and plants a kiss on her lips. He feels a twitch in his heart.

That's it.

Mark stands up and runs to the nearest bathroom and he actually throws up. Mark feels disgusted. It annoys him so much seeing Joohyun and Taeyong together.

He splashes his face with cold water, takes one long last look at himself in the mirror and steps out.

- Oh my god! You scared me!

Joohyun's voice catches Mark in surprised. His palms are sweating again as he stays silent, staring at her.

- I-I'm sorry...

Mark's voice is shaking without him realizing it.

- Haha, it's alright, I just get scared easily. Don't mind me please.

Right now, Mark is witnessing Joohyun's smile up-close, and more important, it's because of him.

He wants to think of it like that.

- N-no... are you okay?

- Yeah I'm totally fine. Umm... you're Mark Lee, right? I saw your performance at the practice awhile ago, I really like your dancing style.

Mark's hands are now shaking in his pants but the corners of his lips are rising and his cheeks are flushed pink.

Just like Joohyun's lips colour.

Watermelon scent lip balm.

- Thank you... you were really-

- Joohyun ah!

Both of them turn to look at the end of the hall, a guy is walking toward them. Even though he's just casually walking but it seems like a model striking on his own runway. He's smiling.

- Baby, the hand cream is in my bag if you need it after washing your hands.

Joohyun's hands always smell like watermelon.

Taeyong snakes his arm around Joohyun's waist and pulls her closer, enough for Mark to know they're dating.

- Thanks baby!

This is the second time of the day when Mark sees them kissing right in front of him. In a blink of an eye, he spots some hickeys on both of their neck. Mark looks down, chews his lip a bit. He's about to say something when Joohyun cuts in his way.

- Oh I forgot! This is Lee Taeyong, my boyfriend. Baby, this is Mark Lee. I think he was in your team at the practice.

As if he doesn't know they're together.

Mark scratches his head, bows a little and tries to fake the most natural smile.

- Yeah I know. Dude you got some sick moves, love them.

Taeyong raises his fist, motions for Mark to mirror his so they can do a fist-touch but Mark seems out of place, he just stares at Taeyong's fist. The silver band on his ring finger is shining. Mark takes a glance down at Joohyun's hand.

Nice rings.

It has been five seconds and there's still no answer from Mark, Taeyong shrugs as he puts his fist back in his pants pocket.

- The break is almost over, I need to wash my hands asap. See you guys later in the practice room!

Joohyun smiles as she squeezes Taeyong's hand lightly before entering the girls' washroom.

- Let's head back yeah?

Taeyong's smile kind of annoys Mark for a split second but that's alright, he has to smile, what else can he do anyway. Mark nods and they start walking.

Everything is fine for like few seconds until Taeyong decides to put his arm around Mark's shoulders, as if they have been friends for years. Mark shudders.

- I was serious when I said you got some sick moves. By any chance you wanna join the team as an official member?

He smells like watermelon.

Mark gets shy by the compliment. The leader is praising him.

- Yeah... of course.

- Cool. Now back to practice!

.

Mark feels satisfied when he's finally able to shut Renjun down with his savageness about Joohyun's being unacknowleged about Mark.

- Mark what the fuck? Joohyun has a boyfriend. Lee fucking Taeyong says hello?

Renjun whispers the last few words then beams at his friend, thinking what in the world has got into Mark's head.

- Hey hey don't swear, God forbids it.

Mark puts a finger on his mouth, motions Renjun to be quiet.

- Uhhhh, the last time I checked the bible, God forbids one to steal anyone's property too like???

- Joohyun isn't a "property".

Honestly, Mark thinks Renjun is stupid. He has never had the intention to "steal" Joohyun away from Taeyong.

Yet.

Well, he basically just wants to get closer to her.

- I don't do what God forbids. Now eat your food Renjun.

Renjun swallows, fears for what's gonna happen in the near future.

.

On Christmas, there's a party down the building's basement and everyone is invited.

Mark thinks today he's gonna try some alcohol, gotta taste that bit of "adulthood" now that he's legal, finally. Mark has always been a good kid, back in Canada he wouldn't even take one drop of alcohol even though around him was a bunch of teenagers trying to be cool by smoking weed and getting drunk all over the place.

Everyone is dancing on the floor. The DJ is on fire today, his name is Johnny apparently. Mark remembers talking to him a few times when he first joined the company since the guy is from Chicago and Mark is glad there's someone who can speak English to help him cope with the new environment.

Mark looks around and finds a place to sit down. He spots a bunch of unopened soju bottles on the counter.

And Taeyong is sitting at it with his friends. He seems drunk already.

Mark feels strange and starts to look around for someone.

Joohyun.

The first thing he notices isn't where she's at, but what she's wearing. Out of a bunch of girls wearing ass-revealing shorts, Joohyun is the only one with jeans and a nice, loose-fit flannel tucks in. She looks out of this world.

Gorgeous.

Mark suddenly glances down at himself and realizes they're wearing super similar clothing tonight.

At one corner, Mark sees Jaehyun sitting alone and he decides to join him. Jaehyun is his favourite senior but they barely see each other now.

- Long time no see man. Come, sit.

Jaehyun pats the space beside him as Mark takes a seat. They start catching up on their stories and Jaehyun offers him a soju shot. Mark takes it but hesitates to knock it down.

- I'm not making you take the shot, it's fine if you don't want to.

Jaehyun's smile is so genuine, it reminds Mark of his brother. Mark laughs, mumbles a "it's okay" and takes it down in one go.

He doesn't like it, so bitter. Never going to try it again. They talk for some more until someone comes and sits down next to Jaehyun. Jaehyun introduces him to Mark and vice versa. Taeil or something like that. Both of them get carried away with their own conversation and Mark feels left out, he excuses himself to the washroom.

Someone is throwing up inside. Touching the knob, Mark thinks it's fine if he goes in. What if they need help?

Taeyong?

Mark sees the guy is kneeling down in front of the toilet, the gagging sounds wouldn't stop.

Mark steps in and closes the door.

Mark locks it.

Sensing someone is standing behind, Taeyong lets out some coughs and turns around. His vision is blurry, he can't see things clear, plus the recessed lighting brightness above their head is horrible. Taeyong's eyes are wet, the alcohol is taking over him.

- Joohyun, baby...

Taeyong grabs Mark's wrist as he pulls the boy down to the floor.

- I'm sorry... I should have listened to you... I will never drink again... P-please forgive me... Don't be mad at me please... Joohyun... my baby...

His words are mixed with hiccups.

Mark freezes, he tries to block the words from coming to his ears but he doesn't stop Taeyong from hugging him.

- My shirt... looks great on... you... baby...

Taeyong grips the hem of Mark's shirt as he closes his eyes. His hands travel to Mark's face and he pulls the boy down, crashes their lips together.

He smells like watermelon.

Indeed, Taeyong smells like that watermelon lip balm and hand cream. The smell gets heavier as Taeyong bites Mark's lips. The artificial fruity scent mixed with soju is making Mark dizzy but he shuts his eyes tight. He remembers the bitter aftertaste he got after swallowing that soju shot, it is now mixing with Taeyong's shaky breath and Mark finds himself crazy for liking it. Mark puts his hand to the back of Taeyong's head and deepens the kiss.

- I forgive you.

Baby.

He mumbles against Taeyong's lips.

Mark thinks Taeyong doesn't need Joohyun to be forgiven.

Oh,

Mark buys the flannel just to match Taeyong's.