Love Game

Chapter 8

These two days, Mark had not seen Jinyoung even once. Two busy days, so they should be called. Assignments and tests did not give him his usual free time.
But today was different. Mark was determined to see Jinyoung today as he would be able to spend today quite comfortably with only one test to complete.
He got up a bit earlier today, aiming to see Jinyoung before class.
It was all smooth until he was on the way. Traffic jam was annoying him at this early morning.
He just arrived at the university on time.
Chance to see Jinyoung before class was also gone.
Jackson asked him what was wrong seeing his friend's frustrated face.
"Nothing. Just I haven't seen Jinyoung recently."
The first class started with the test and after this, Mark would be able to skip his class if he wanted.
At least I should wait till the lunch break, he thought.
As soon as the class was dismissed for the lunch time, he swang his bag over his shoulder and headed for the canteen.
Mark searched for Jinyoung around the canteen, including the place thay had last sat together. But no luck.
There had already been fifteen minutes, maybe he should give up and just had some food.
Just when he sat down in an unoccupied table with the tray of meal, his phone buzzed and a message from Jackson appeared on the screen.
'Dude, have you already met with Jinyoung?'
'No. Why?'
It took a few seconds to get Jackson's reply.
'I think I saw him. You said you were gonna meet Jinyoung and I was just curious why he was alone. So you two weren't together?'
'Jackson, where's he? I've been searching for him.'
Mark typed a quick reply, and was impatient that Jackson was taking time again to reply.
'You know the library beside the art buildings right? He entered it through the left-side door. Not the front door. Get it?'
Mark replied a quick 'OK' and leaving the meal behind, he dashed there.
It was only an old library students mainly had used before the central library was constructed. But it was still used as a second library and students still read books and studied there.
When Mark arrived there, he searched for a door on the left side. And he found a dusty old door quite hidden by bushes. He pushed it open with a little difficulty as the metal was rather rusty.
There was a staircase inside, an old one.
"Not to the library?" Mark murmured.
He followed the steps and it seemed like the stairs led to the top of the building as it was a two-storey one.
"With what idea did he come here?"
"Or Jackson tricked me?"
He was now confused but still followed the stairs.
As he had thought, it really led to the top of the building, more like a rooftop.
Then the realisation hit him that students used to come here when the library on the ground floor had been still in main use.
As soon as he was there, he spotted Jinyoung somehow lying in the shade of a tall old tree growing beside the building, with a book in his hands.
At the sound of the footsteps, Jinyoung looked up from his book.
"Hey" Mark greeted first, barely able to hide his excitement.
Jinyoung sat up quickly and asked, "How did you find me?"
"Jackson saw you. Hey I've been searching for you."
Mark looked at the watch and only five minutes were left before the lunch break was over.
"What're you doing here?" asked Mark, going towards Jinyoung and sitting down beside him.
The sun was hot but the tree was blocking it anyway.
"Reading a book. Shoudn't you be in the class by now?"
"What about you? You also should!"
"No class till 2."
"Me too. I mean I'm skipping class today. No need to go there." It was an instant decision. Whatever, it was worth, Mark thought.
"Are you really like that? Always skipping classes?" Jinyoung suspiciously asked Mark.
"No! Why should I? This is only for today."
"Why today then?"
Mark thought of an appropriate answer. If he said it was because he saw Jinyoung, would it be impressive or rather stupid? It was not stupid for Mark but Jinyoung might think so.
"Eh, other personal stuff," replied Mark, with a sheepish grin.
Jinyoung just nodded and attended to his book back.
"Aham," Mark cleared his throat, wanting to have Jinyoung's attention to him instead.
"What are you reading?"
Jinyoung tapped the book cover instead without sparing a glance towards Mark.
"Failed attempt, Mark Tuan," Mark mumbled quietly.
"It's been a while we haven't seen each other," Mark initiated a conversation, "Hm, how have you been doing?" Still Jinyoung's eyes didn't leave his book.
"Hm, are we friends already? What about going out somewhere together this weekend? Oh, I still don't have your number."
That was enough. Jinyoung closed his book and looked at Mark with an impatient look.
"Look. You're disturbing me. And we are not friends yet. So the following questions are also cancelled."
Mark hissed, "How cruel of you! We've been together for days already."
"Whatever. You can just give up anytime."
Jinyoung opened his book again but spared a quick glance at Mark, whose face was really pitiful now and his eyes displayed sadness somehow like all his efforts had gone all in vain.
Jinyoung let out a quiet sigh and said, "Maybe, if you can show more of your good side to me, I mean, your honesty, only maybe, we can probably be friends one day. Not just because you're interested in my appearance. And just to be friends, alright?"
Mark was triumphant and at the same time defeated because they could be friends but only just friends. That was it.
He was, however, satisfied that they could at least be friends. 'Excited' was not an enough word to describe his feelings right now.
"OK, I'll try. I promise," said Mark, with a happy smile.
"I didn't mean we can be friends now. Later when I can trust you enough."
"Yes, I get it."
'Yes, you would trust me enough' Mark thought although some part of him was burned with guilt, knowing his real intention.
I'm sorry, Jinyoung ah.