"You're a little early" Mark commented as soon as she opened the door to his house. 

Sunhee shrugged. "But you don't mind, do you? I was bored all alone at home." She didn't tell him that she missed Kevin's company.

He frowned, suddenly looking annoyed and uncomfortable. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and stared at her for an awkward moment. 

"I don't like you living with him," he finally said. 

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Why not? Everything's fine," she assured him. "Really, you always worry too much. Kevin's a great roommate, trust me. Everything is perfect." 

"Why didn't you ask to stay here? We have a lot of extra rooms." 

Because your parents would probably put me to work.

Keeping the smile plastered on her face, she just shook her head, not wanting to tell him the truth. She heard Kevin's voice in her head, telling her to be honest. Telling her that she can't expect a good relationship, any relationship, not even friendship, if she wasn't honest. She ignored his voice and just smiled. 

"Kevin's place is closer," she explained. 

Unable to get Kevin's voice out of her head, she sighed, finally giving in. Okay, she'd be partly honest. 

"And I'd feel uncomfortable staying here." 

"You'd feel uncomfortable staying here, but not at a stranger's house?" he asked her incredulously. 

Sunhee sighed. "What's with you today?" she snapped. "He's not a stranger anymore, he's my friend, and I trust him." 

"And what about me? Aren't I your friend too? What's wrong with my house?" 

"It's uncomfortable!" she shouted. "It's suffocating, can't you see that? Don't you see how your parents treat me differently from your other new friends? Your rich friends?" she asked, tears filling her eyes and running down her face. "I don't want to stay here. Not now, not ever," she snapped, wiping at her tears. "Now, can we please change the subject. You have no right to-" 

Her words were cut off when he hugged her. 

"I'm sorry," he whispered, stroking her hair. "I'm so sorry. I didn't... I didn't even realize. I didn't notice that you were uncomfortable, or treated differently." 

"You don't notice a lot of things," she commented bitterly, hugging him back and letting the tears fall. It was a relief, finally getting that off of her chest. Even more a relief... Mark didn't seem angry. He didn't seem upset. He was just comforting her. 

She closed her eyes, hugging him tight. 

And when she opened them... 

Kevin was standing right there. 

***

A/N 

🤭

Posting two chapters this week because I didn't post last week😭 Hope you enjoy them💖