Chapter 4

"Trying... so... hard... not to knock... any piece..."

Mark entered the dining room only to see his friends playing Jenga on the dining table. He raised a brow, confused to see some of his friends early in the morning.

"Why are you guys here?"

One of them looked at Mark and accidentally knocked over the tiles. The Jenga pieces fell on the table and they all groaned.

"Hyung!"

Mark rolled his eyes, "Good morning to you too, Chenle." He sighed but smiled afterwards.

He walked towards the refrigerator and got a carton of milk. He placed it on the table and got some glasses for him and for his friends.

They all looked at Mark, confused about his sudden concerned actions.

"Mark-hyung, did you wake up on the right side of the bed?" Chenle asked.

Mark looked at him and raised a brow, "Yeah? Why?"

"Hyung why do you seem so happy?" The guy beside Chenle asked.

Mark laughed, and his laugh was a strange tune to every one of them.

"Jisung-ah, I'm always happy. What are you talking about?"

The rest on the table looked at each other, still wondering what's with Mark's sudden change of moods.

"Anyways, where's Taeyong-hyung?" He asked.

"He called Jaehyun-hyung and his sister."

"Oh.." Mark nodded. "I'll just go to the washroom for a while."

When their hyung left, they immediately looked at each other.

"What's with Mark-hyung?" They asked in unison.

"He's not like... Mark-hyung?" Jisung said.

"Don't get me wrong. It's not like I want to see the emo and gloomy Mark-hyung again... but isn't too sudden? His change of mood is unpredictable."

Chenle nodded, "I agree with Jaemin-hyung. It feels weird because a few months ago, we've been suffering because of gloomy and sad Mark... and now... he's back to his old self?" He said, questioning himself.

"I hope he stays like this though. It's better for him. Let's admit it, we missed seeing his smiling face."

Jisung nodded, "I can't believe I'm sayig this but... Haechan-hyung is right."

Mark immediately locked the door and looked at the mirror. He slapped himself once.

"Yah, Mark why are you acting stupid?!" He scolds himself from acting weird in front of his younger friends.

His heart was beating fast and he's starting to wonder why. "You too!" He points at his chest. "Can you calm down?! Even for a minute?!" As if his heart understands him, it did calm down.

He sighed and fixed his hair, deciding to leave the washroom.

He could hear people's voices while walking. They were talking and laughing.

"Oh, there's Mark. Let's go?" Jaehyun said once Mark came into his view.

"Yeah, okay... i'll just go and get my bag." Mark said, rushing to the dining table where he placed his bag.

"Five of us will stay in Taeyong-hyung's car and the other five will stay in mine." Jaehyun said, unlocking his car.

"Taeyong, Chenle, Jaemin, Jisung and Renjun. Jaehyun, Mark, Eunmi, Jeno and Haechan." Taeyong said, opening the door and letting his friends in.

Eunmi boarded their car after Haechan, who was seated at the back.

"Jeno-yah, let's switch places." Mark said, ordering his friends to get off the car.

"I got here first." Jeno stuck his tongue out and made a face at his hyung.

Mark sighed, can't argue with anyone any longer. He boarded the car and sat beside Eunmi.

Their school was near, but somehow, it feels like it took them a year. It wasn't traffic, but it's taking them too long to arrive.

Maybe Jaehyun was doing it on purpose?

Jaehyun started to whistle a tune. Eunmi's heart started to beat fast as she looked at her brother.

Mark did the same.

Jaehyun looked at the two at the rearview mirror and laughed. "What's wrong? It's not like it's the first time you heard me whistle."

"But hyung, why 'When the Wind Blows' all of a sudden?" Mark asked.

Eunmi just stayed silent.

"What's with it, Mark-hyung?" Jeno asked.

"Yeah, what's with it?" Jaehyun smirked.

Mark just rolled his eyes. Eunmi was chuckling silently. She had no idea why Mark was acting like that.

***

At lunch, the first one on the table was the girls as usual.

"You are my star
naege gobaekadeon nega
eodideun wajweotteon niga
geuttaega geuriweo"

Eunmi turned her head towards Yeri who was passionately singing the song.

"Yeri-yah~" She whined.

Yeri laughed, upon knowing that her bestfriend is already fed up.

"What's up?" Irene asked.

"The ceiling, unnie. The ceiling." Seulgi rolled her eyes.

Irene glared at her, "Is there something we need to know?" She grinned at Eunmi.

The latter looked down, embarrassed.

Eunmi shook her head, "I'm pretty sure you guys already know it."

"Maybe Yeri does, but we don't." Wendy said.

Eunmi sighed, "Promise me that you guys won't react."

The rest nodded, except for Yeri.

"Mark and I will perform that song later." She said. "That's why the guys and Yeri keep on singing it. To irritate Mark and I."

The other were trying hard not to laugh.

"Can we react now?" Seulgi asked.

Eunmi nodded.

They immediately fangirled.

"Wendy, pay up." Irene said.

"What the heck, you actually bet on us? Unbelievable." Eunmi said, rubbing her temples.

"Nah, not really. Wendy and I just had a bet. We already know, actually." Irene said, grinning mischievously.

"We just wanted to know who will tell us first. You or Mark. I bet you and Wendy said Mark." Irene explained.

"I can't believe you guys." She rolled her eyes. "I can't believe I'm even friends with you."

"Well you have no choice." Seulgi shrugged.

"You're stuck with us." Joy grinned.

They heard noises and they assumed that the others were already inside the cafeteria. They looked at the people who entered, and they were right.

"You are my star
naege gobaekadeon nega
eodideun wajweotteon niga
geuttaega geuriweo"

They were all singing it, except for Mark. Eunmi felt as if there were cold water being splashed on her.

She wanted to bury herself alive and et out of there. Reminding herself why is she friends with all of them anyways.

"Yah, can you guys not? I'm sick of it already." Eunmi said once they sat down.

Mark nodded, "Me too."

They all turned their heads towards Mark when he spoke.

"What?" Mark widened his eyes at them. "I'm just going to sing it with her later. Why is it such a big deal?" He shrugged.

"Yeah, Mark... I wonder why." Taeyong looked at him in the eye.

Mark looked away and sighed. "I don't know what you're talking about, hyung."

Eunmi was beyond confused about what's going on.

"Lucas-hyung, don't forget to take a video of their performance later." Chenle giggled.

Lucas nodded, "No need to tell me."

"I'm gonna tell professor to confiscate your phone." Mark warned.

"Lucas, I'll give you 15,000 won." Johnny said.

Lucas shrugged, "You can't stop me, Mark. Fighting haeyadwae!"

Mark sighed.

****

Eunmi's heart was beating rapidly compared to his seatmate (aka Mark) who looked chill even if they're the next one to perform.

She looked down and played her fingers— what she always do everytime she's fidgeting.

Mark looked at his seatmate with an amused face. "Are you okay?"

Eunmi looked at him, surprised. "H-Huh? Yeah... nervous.."

Mark raised a brow, "But why?"

"Not used to sing in front of a crowd." She shrugged.

The class clapped. The two looked at the front. The pair before them already left.

"Mr. Lee and Ms. Jung." Their teacher called.

Yeri shook her arm and giggled, "It's your turn!!" She said.

Eunmi sighed and stood up first. Mark followed and grabbed his guitar which was on the side.

He's used to perform in front of a huge crowd. He's the music club president after all.

Yeri turned to Lucas who was already setting his camera. Lucas did a thumbs up and a fist sign. "Mark, Eunmi, fighting haeyadwae!" He said, making the class laugh.

Mark sat on a stool across Eunmi.

Mark's heart was starting to beat faster, which is unusual because it wasn't hist first time to perform in front of a crowd.

He plucked the strings and she started singing.

"Stars in the sky
i bameun nasseolji ana
neowa duri watteon got
neowa gachi itteon got"

Stars in the sky
This night doesn't feel strange
The place we came together
The place I was with you

Yeri was clapping, but not making a sound. She was beyond proud of Eunmi. She's still a transferee but she's starting to step out of her shelf.

Mark, on the other hand was trying to concentrate. A part of him wants to stop, but his body is doing otherwise.

"neon gieongnani
oneulcheoreom barami bulmyeon
neowa geonildeon geu giri saenggangna"

Do you remember?
On days the wind blows like this
I remember the street we walked on

How come that he's feeling the same when they were practicing inside his music room? How come his heart was beating fast?

"You are my star
naege gobaekadeon nega
eodideun wajweotteon niga
geuttaega geuriweo"

You are my star
You confessed to me
You came to me, wherever I was
I long for those days

Yeri sat beside Lucas just to make sure that his video was clear.

She slapped Lucas' arm repeatedly, giggling because she found the two performing in front adorable.

"kkumkkudeut jinabeorin
neowaye chueongmaneuro
gin bameul bonaetteon na
geuttaen mollasseo neoye maeumeul"

Like a dream
Memories with you have passed
Just with those, I spent long nights
I didn't know back then, your heart

Mark sang. The girls cheered.

Yeri rolled her eyes, he's performing, for goodness sake!

"neon gieokani
sojunghaetteon uri cheot mannam
sujupge utteon neoye geu moseubeul"

Do you remember?
Our precious first encounter
Your shy smile

Eunmi looked at Mark, who was busy plucking the strings like the way he used to when they were practicing.

She mentally prayed that no one would notice that she was staring at him.

"You are my star
naege gobaekadeon nega
eodideun wajweotteon niga
geuttaega geuriweo"

You are my star
You confessed to me
You came to me, wherever I was
I long for those days

The crowd cheered when the two sang together. Everyone was cheering and screaming because of the feels.

Their professor looked so amused, because they had this effect to everyone.

"kkumkkudeut jinabeorin
neowaye chueongmaneuro
gin bameul bonaetteon na
geuttaen mollasseo sarangiran geol"

Like a dream
Memories with you have passed
Just with those, I spent long nights
I didn't know back then, it was love

Eunmi tried to hide her smile, but she couldn't. She looked at Yeri who was almost close into tears.

Yeri smiled at her and did a fighting gesture.

"dalppit arae neowa danduri
gyejeore kkeut geugose seoseo
tto neoreul chueokae
geuttaeye neol"

Under the moonlight, with you
Standing at the end of a season
I'm reminiscing again
You, back then

The song was about to end, but she don't want it to end just yet.

Ending the song means she has to face the snob Mark once again. If only I know what's behind you, Mark Lee.

"niga isseo cham gomaweosseo
neodo nal tteoollimyeon miso jieul su itge"

I was so thankful for you
I hope you can smile when you think of me too

The two looked at each other and Mark smiled, making Eunmi's heart beat even faster.

The two stood up. Mark held her hand, much to her confusion, and he bowed. Eunmi followed, realizing what he means afterwards.

The crowd clapped, still in awe with what they saw.

Maybe 'When the Wind Blows' is Eunmi's new favorite song.

The bell rang and the students rushed out of the classroom immediately, congratulating Mark and Eunmi for a job well done.

"Ms. Jung, I need to talk to you." Eunmi looked at Yeri who wore a concerned look.

Her eyes travelled to Mark who stopped fixing his guitar case.

"Are you willing to join music club?" She asked.

Yeri sighed as a sign of relief. Mark, on the other hand, continued packing.

"I'll think about it..." She shyly said, dragging Yeri out of the room once she bid goodbye.

They went to the washroom and Eunmi stared at the mirror.

Yeri looked at her, "Eunmi? Are you okay? You're red..."

Eunmi opened the faucet and washed her face, slapping her cheeks softly.

Yeri shook her shoulder, "Are you okay? Do I need to call Jaehyun-oppa?"

She shook her head, "No.. I'm fine..."

"Are you sure?"

Eunmi sighed, "Yeri-yah, this can't be happening."

"Huh? What do you mean?

"My heart is beating so fast.."

—tbc