Clouds were gathering overhead as Mark walked down the street with Jaehyun, on their way to Jaehyun’s place to hang out after school. They had stopped at a convenience store and were both sucking on lollipops, Mark’s being strawberry flavoured.

They were on a busy main road, heading to a bus stop not too far away when a black car with tinted windows pulled up next to them. Mark cringed internally as he recognised the car. The window came down and a man with bleach blonde hair leaned out.

“Hey Mark! Come, I'll give you a ride home.” The man shouted in a friendly tone, waving him over to the car.

“Hey it's Wonho!” Jaehyun said as he waved at the man, earning a friendly grin from him.

“Is that you Jaehyun?” Wonho called.

Mark went to grab Jaehyun’s arm to stop him from going over and talking to the older man but Jaehyun was already making his way to the car.

Wonho was Mark's next door neighbour in the apartment building he lived in, and because Mark lived alone Wonho was seen by Mark's friends as his hyung. He looked out for him and of course his friends thought he was great; he had a good job, he was charismatic and he was really fit - exactly what they strived to become.

To Mark though, Wonho was different. Mark clutched at his backpack straps and walked over to the car, holding his lollipop in his mouth. Wonho was happily chatting to Jaehyun but diverted his attention to Mark as he noticed him approach.

“Mark you didn't tell me you were going to help your hyung after school today.” Jaehyun said, leaning against the car.

Mark pulled the lollipop out of his mouth. “What? No I wasn't. I'm coming to yours today.”

“I thought you would forget, that's why I came to pick you up.” Wonho replied with a smile.

“I'm going to Jaehyun’s though.” Mark repeated. He knew it was pointless trying to argue with Wonho but he didn't want to go with him.

“Don't worry about it, you can come to mine anytime. Go help your hyung.” Jaehyun patted  Mark’s shoulder and started walking down the street. Then he turned back to them and tapped his finger against his nose. “See you tomorrow morning Mark!”

Mark sighed but smiled and waved goodbye. He turned back to Wonho, who’s smile had dropped from his face, replaced with an impatient gaze.

“Get in the car, now.” Wonho ordered.

Mark walked around to the front passenger seat and got in, slamming the door shut.

“Gentle with the car please.” Wonho said as he grabbed Mark’s backpack and threw it on the backseat.

Mark leaned against the door and looked out the window as Wonho pulled into traffic. “Why do you have to feed Jaehyun such bullshit?” He asked in a low voice, swirling the lollipop around in his mouth.

“Because you misbehave. Stop hanging out at your friend's houses.” Wonho replied, sounding annoyed.

“But they're my friends.” Mark mumbled back.

Wonho made a tsk noise and snatched the lollipop out of Mark’s mouth, placing it in his own mouth. “Mm, strawberry.” He rested his hand on Mark’s knee but Mark slapped it away and glared at Wonho before turning back to the window.

The rest of the car ride was filled with a tense silence. Wonho pulled the car into his car park outside their apartment building. They got out and walked up the five flights of stairs and along the balcony to apartment numbers 509 and 510. Mark walked past number 509 towards his own apartment but Wonho’s large hand grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him back.

“Where do you think you're going?” Wonho asked, not letting go of Mark.

“To my apartment.”

Wonho swung Mark around and grabbed his chin. Mark latched onto Wonho’s arm and dug his fingernails in.

“Are we really going to do this again?” Wonho sighed.

Mark didn't answer him, he only glared into Wonho’s eyes. Wonho sighed impatiently and reached behind Mark to unlock his door.

“Get inside.” He said gruffly, pushing Mark into his apartment. Wonho stepped inside after him and locked the door behind them.