that one stained shirt | mark lee ✓

a big brother complex

"Hey guys, can't you take a break for a minute?"

Mark's switch to Korean was so smooth I didn't register it for a second. All I could think of was the terrified look on Johnny's face and my heartbeat resonating loudly through my head. If I knew better, I'd leave and never see him again, but I had a better thing to do.

This is for once about me, not about you.

A few of the boys nodded and came to a sort of circle around us. I used the spare seconds of rustling to take deep breaths and calm down. Mark's hand gently squeezed mine, bringing me back into reality. I forced a smile on my lips.

"What is it, man? Why do you have a girl with you?" One of his teammates asked, giving me just a glance before staring back at Mark. We made a step closer, and Mark lifted our intertwined fingers for everyone to see. I felt his hold get tighter and didn't know if it was for me or more for him.

"She's my girlfriend, that's why. Guys, meet Jessica."

I waved with my free hand, relaxing my lips into a more genuine smile. Johnny's eyes were piercing through me, but I used all my willpower to not look back.

Another of the boys rose to his feet and came to shake my hand. "I'm Taeyong, nice to meet you." He searched my face for a second before furrowing his brows. "You aren't fully Korean, are you?"

Oh, so he was a perceptive one. I shook my head. "No, I'm not. My family lives in Chicago."

Taeyong immediately turned to Johnny and gestured to me with a finger over his shoulder. "You've got a friend, Johnny."

It took me a second to bring my eyes to him. Something in me just wasn't ready to understand that this very man was my older brother.

"I see. What a coincidence," he started slowly, crossing his arms over his chest. **"What brought you here, Jessica?"

I mentally scoffed. Definitely not you, mister.

"Studies. I chose the English major. Parents were not too happy, but I'm doing fine."

He hummed. I felt Mark let go of my hand and move slightly behind me. I turned my head to see what he was doing when something warm wrapped around my waist. He brought himself a bit closer. I caught Johnny's stare on Mark's arm and even though it felt strange to have an unfamiliar man clinging onto me, a wicked pleasure rose within. If anything, let me show you what a life your little sister has for herself.

"You good?" Mark whispered into my ear, and I nodded slightly. "If anything, move my hand however you need to."

We're not even dating for real, but I already don't deserve you.

"Wait, aren't you the girl from the coffee shop? The one who ruined Mark's T-shirt?" This boy pushed himself off the wall and stepped towards me. Without any answer, he took my hand to shake it. "I'm Yuta, by the way. It's nice to finally match the face to a name."

"It was an accident, man. Stop embarrassing her."

"I am not-"

"It's quite alright," I interrupted and gave Mark a reassuring smile. "It's not like you haven't seen me spill something before. It just so happened to be my coffee."

"Wait, you've known each other before?" Johnny asked and I nodded.

"Of course we have. You think people come and date in a week of acquaintance?"

"Wow, okay, she's using big words now," Yuta laughed, and a few others joined him. Johnny on the other hand didn't look impressed at all.

"I'm a literature girl, better get used to it."