• Abrazame fuerte •

[Hug me tightly]

Mark walked at a quick pace through all the campus once again as he averted everything around him, sweat traveling down his forehead and face; he had been like this all morning and no one knew exactly why.

It was Saturday, and everyone was chilling with their friends, having a good time, and enjoying their free time for a while. It was a nice day, the breeze brushing against your face, the sun bright, but not too much for it to be hot, and it was slightly cloudy making the atmosphere fresh, the weather was just perfect.

To Mark, it didn't seem like it a bit. He was stressed. He had been walking around the campus all morning waiting or searching for something or perhaps someone. No one knew what had gotten into him today and he didn't seem to have the time to explain himself either.

He sighed for the millionth time that morning as he didn't find him in the university's yard. He had searched for a while now and he was dead tired to say at least.

Maybe I should return to the dorms, maybe he is already there waiting for me. Mark thought and sighed again. This would be a long day.

"Ugh"

Mark said as he plopped on his bed, his search mission was a failure because he didn't find him. And he was so tired he needed a break so he came to his dorm to get some relaxation and comfort from his bed.

"Well hello to you too."

The other male said turning to see Mark entering their room. He looked tired and he was sweaty from running around all day.

"You look awful." He said plainly.

Mark only looked at him for a moment to return to his sleep. He closed his eyes for a brief moment cuddling his pillow, slowly drifting to sleep.

'WAIT!' Mark thought.

Suddenly Mark stood up, more awake than moments ago. He was here.

A big smile on his face, he ran to the man, tackling him with a tight hug to the other bed on the opposite side of the room.

"You're finally here!" Mark said as he hugged the boy very tightly that he couldn't even breathe properly.

"I'm finally here." He repeated slowly.

"I'm finally here, Mark" He repeated, kissing the crown of his head lovingly.

"And I'm planning on staying here."

• Ven corriendo a mi •

[Come running to me]

"Hey, Mark,"

The aforementioned male, heard his name being called by an oh so low, raspy morning voice he knew and loved so much. He smiled a little for himself before turning around to face him.

There stood the most beautiful human being in Mark's eyes, his hair laying messily on his head from his previous sleep. Wearing some casual clothes, shoes already on ready to leave for his first class of the day.

Mark's cheeks flushed a little soft pink at the sight, though he wasn't wearing anything fancy nor anything, for Mark he looked absolutely breathtaking just standing there with only his mere presence.

While Mark stood there staring at the other male like the whipped boy he is, he took his time to also admire Mark's beauty and all of his features. It didn't matter how many times he had done this already he couldn't help but be amazed by his beauty every time.

Because in his eyes, Mark was the most beautiful thing that would ever exist. Not even all of the stars in the sky, nor the planets or galaxies could compare to him. He was like a whole universe, with its stars, constellations and everything around him was just space dust laying around him.

Then he stopped on his lips, those lips he had craved for years. Those who look so pretty, tainted and plump pink lips, so tasty he wanted so bad to kiss. Even if it was for just a mere second, he wanted and craved for that to pass, but it didn't. It never did.

When he finally noticed Mark was looking at his lips too, then back at him and then at his lips again. Mark noticed he had been caught and abruptly turned to his side, going to get the things he needed before they could leave.

"I'll wait for you outside."

The male said before he turned to leave really awkward, cursing on his head for being so stupid. How could he stare at Mark so carelessly he thought and thought. He wasn't in his young days anymore, he couldn't just look at Mark like that, not anymore at least.

On the other hand, Mark found himself all giddy and happy. Butterflies flying all around his tummy, as a small blush crept on his cheeks. He jumped around the room he was in, small "yes"s and other exclamation words leaving his mouth here and there.

He was static, he was staring at him. Not only staring but checking him out, Mark couldn't be any happier. With that, he then calmed down a bit before he rushed through the door and ran to the other male who was waiting for him some feet away from their dorm.

"Jackson!" He called out, still running to the other male.

The aforementioned male turned around to the sight of Mark running to him when Mark finally got to him. He proceeded to do something he didn't expect at all.

"Let's go," Mark said and grabbed Jackson's hand in his, interlocking them.

Taken aback from the action Jackson hesitated a little, but the fluttering feeling in his stomach told him not to do anymore. He squeezed Mark's hand in his and began to walk away from the dorms. Swinging their hands back and forth, a smile printing on both of their faces.

Moments like these made Jackson have hope.

• Te quiero, te quiero, te quiero •

[I love you, I love you, I love you]

It had been almost a week and Mark was happier than ever. He hadn't seen Jackson for almost a year and now he had him so close it felt like heaven. He walked down the hallways to his dorm with a smile on his face.

Today it was Friday, and his classes had already finished. Meaning Jackson's too, meaning they could pass all their weekend with each other, chill at the dorms or go out somewhere and have fun. Mark just wanted to be with Jackson, it didn't matter what they would do, he just wanted him.

With a happy hand, Mark put his hand on the door's handle and pushed the door open to reveal such a beautiful— empty room...

What? Mark thought. He made a confused face but didn't say anything. He entered the room, closing the door behind him. Maybe he's in the kitchen, Mark thought again. He walked to the small kitchen, leaving his bag on the table while passing by.

Mark was a question mark— I meant confused, the autocorrect. Where could Jackson be right now? Mark kept asking himself as he paced around the room thinking of where Jackson could have gone now.

After what felt like an hour for Mark, which in reality was only fifteen minutes, he decided to leave and search Jackson around the campus, what if something happened to him? With that Mark took his keys, put on a hoodie, and left the dorm, locking the door.

Where the fuck are you Jackson? Mark cursed in his head. It was a chilly night and Mark knew his hoodie wasn't enough to keep him warm. He had been out for a little less than an hour, but it seemed like it had been ages to him.

Jackson didn't pick up his phone and Mark was getting stressed. He was starting to lose hope and just fuck everything and go back to his dorm. Maybe Jackson had already returned and he didn't know.

Maybe, Mark thought. A big sigh left his lips, he closed his eyes for a brief moment and turned to leave. He opened his eyes and saw— nothing, just the same streets he had seen in the last hour.

Mark hadn't opened the door completely when he was engulfed in a big hug. He was taken aback, but when he noticed who was hugging he quickly returned the gesture and hugged him equally tight. It was warm.

Jackson was scolding Mark for being so late. Overwhelming the boy so much he didn't understand what he said. Something along with was where you? and I was so worried. But there was something he did catch.

"I love you."

• Y no hago otra cosa •

[And I can't do anything, but]

Mark froze upon hearing those three words that echoed in his mind. Those three words that he waited for so long, those three words wanted so bad, those three words he only wanted to hear from Jackson...

"You love me?" Mark asked softly, looking up at Jackson with bright, hopeful eyes who held the whole world in them, shining ever so brightly.

The room went silent, Jackson stopped talking and only stared at Mark. The color had drained out from his face and he looked like he had seen a ghost. He tightened his hold around Mark, hugging him again before separating making a small gap between them.

"Of course I love you, Mark. What are you talking about? You're my best friend." That word only brought bitterness to both.

Best friend, friends... Of course, I'm only his friend. Mark thought as he mentally facepalmed. He was so sure Jackson liked him back, he was sure Jackson loved him more than a friend.

On the other hand, Jackson wasn't any better. His heart broke seeing Mark's sudden change of expression, but he didn't want to ruin their friendship. He loves Mark, he really does, but that was the problem.

He didn't want to lose him, he couldn't lose him. Mark was so precious to Jackson that he couldn't bear to lose him. With pain in his heart and with trembling hands, he wrapped his arms around Mark for the third and last time that day.

"I love you," He repeated slowly in Mark's ear, sending chills all over his body. But not even that distracted Mark of the fact Jackson said he was only his best friend. He felt stupid.

It had been already a week and Mark had been avoiding Jackson at all costs. He would stay late at class, pass all day in the library to the extent to even sleep at someone else's dorm to avoid him.

Jackson was tired of it, and he didn't like one bit that Mark stayed the night at someone else's when he can be with him. Jackson felt sad and replaced, he couldn't stop thinking about Mark.

In all honesty, they were both being completely stupid. Both knew they had to talk, but neither of them attempted to try. They were so scared of screwing their relationship more that they preferred to stay like this which only pained their hearts more.

• Que pensar en ti •

[Think about you]

Mark couldn't stop thinking about Jackson. He knew he was being stupid? Yes. But did he try to do something about the matter? No. That's why he was trying to avoid him at all costs. He didn't want to be irrational and ruin their friendship just because of his stupid feelings.

Even though those feelings were nowhere near stupid. He felt dumb and an idiot because of Jackson, he thought he liked him. His mind was clouded with Jackson and only Jackson. He couldn't concentrate in class because of the uneasy feeling he had.

And that was what he was doing right now, thinking about the one and only Jackson Wang, his best friend who he hasn't talk with properly in a few days. The one who said he loves him, but only as a friend, that Jackson Wang.

"Mark," He heard his name being called in the distance as if he was underwater.

"Mark" He heard it again.

"Mark, dude you're spacing out again." He finally returned from his trance to look at his friend Im Jaebum.

Mark look looked at him a little puzzled as to why was he calling him. He looked around the class only to see it was empty and students were no longer there. He looked back to his friend, confused as to why the room was empty.

"Class finished 5 minutes ago, your head was on the moon and that's how much time it took me to realize you weren't moving." He said a little bit annoyed, he had to deal with Mark all week in class, and now he was crashing at his place at night too.

He was a little bothered, but he knew Mark was passing through a lot. After Jackson, Jaebum was Mark's best buddy. He was older than Jackson, and they shared most of their classes, so they were used to each other's presence.

Mark sighed deeply and closed his eyes for a brief moment to clear his head a little. He grabbed his things and walked to the door where Jaebum was waiting for him. They leave the classroom and walked through the hallways to the dorms. Jaebum's dorm to be specific.

Still thinking about Jackson, Mark when he heard his name being called. He turned around but it was too late, he tripped on his feet and fell off the stairs. Jaebum was distracted and when he turned to his friend he was already about to fall. He called him and tried to grab his arm, so he wouldn't fall, but he didn't catch him.

He tripped over his feet, but luckily he didn't fall all the way down to the bottom of the stairs, but only a few steps. He had scraped his leg and ripped a part of his black jeans. His hands were scraped too and it really hurt. His books had fallen to the ground and were scattered around him.

Jaebum quickly walked to him and kneel beside him to check if he was okay. "Shit, Mark! Are you okay?" He asked when he was already his level, putting a hand on his shoulder. Tears started to prick out of Mark's eyes.

Why does everything hurt? Mark asked himself as tears cascade down his eyes. An oh so cliché question, but hard to answer. "Hey Mark, don't cry..." His friend tried to cheer him up, rubbing circles on his back as he cried.

Not even five minutes had passed when footsteps were heard, someone was coming upstairs. Jaebum was ready to protect Mark and to fight whoever dares to say something about him. He opened his mouth as a pair of shoes stepped into his view.

But when he looked up he was found Jackson staring worriedly at Mark. He moved his eyes to Jaebum and then returned to Mark. The aforementioned male wasn't aware of the other's presence as he was busy sniffing, his crying already done some time ago.

Hesitantly Jackson crouched down to Mark's level and caress his hair softly. He looked up to see Jackson messing his hair, a small comforting smile on his face. Mark returned the gesture and melt in the touch.

Jaebum was starting to feel weird seeing both males, he decided he should leave them alone and give the boys some privacy. He silently got up, making sure he hadn't disturbed both males. He skipped quickly to the door to get out of there, but not without taking first a picture of them, then, he finally left.

"Mark..." Jackson started still messing with Mark's hair. Both males sat in the middle of the staircase leaning into each other. Mark hummed beckoning Jackson to continue talking, he was hearing him.

"I only want to hug you tightly all day and I can't do anything, but think about you, I love you, Mark Tuan"

The end.

• vic •