that one stained shirt | mark lee ✓

panda express

Early in the morning, I got a call from Mark. I was still half asleep when I agreed to bring him and the others something for lunch. He insisted on paying me everything back, and I tried to explain to him that it was no worry, but when he started listing all the foods and I had to grab a paper to write them down, a momentary concern crossed my mind.

"If you won't have enough, just call me, alright? I'll send you some."

But I kept my cool. "Sure, superstar, no need to flex on me with that fortune of yours. I'll be just fine."

He laughed and I was glad he took it the way I meant it. His money was the last thing I cared about, honestly. He kept a stained shirt instead of buying a new one. That spoke volumes.

"Would be best if you made it around one, with the food still hot. We hate to microwave things here."

"I'll do my best," I saluted, even though he couldn't see me. "I'll be there on a minute sharp."

"As expected, pretty. See you later."

"See ya," I sang and hung up. My arm immediately fell back into the covers. Picking up this many meals would compensate for a decent arm workout, but what I wouldn't do for a new family. If they wanted lunch, I'd be the one to get it for them.

Love goes through the stomach, does it not?

But when I stopped at Panda Express a few hours later, I was indeed in a bit of trouble. I had not enough hands to hold seven bags properly and I was stopping every few steps to make sure none of them popped or ripped. When I finally arrived at the back door, my fingers were numb to the plastic cutting through them and I just couldn't wait to put everything down.

Mark luckily came without me texting, cause I for sure couldn't hold up a phone.

"Let me help," he tried to take some from my hands, but I just shook my head.

"No, I need to let go of all of them at the same time. Or my arms will rip. Just hurry up."

And so we hopped into the elevator and rode up to one of the higher floors. Mark held the door for me and once I was fully standing in the practice room, a free place right in front of me, I knelt down and let myself almost collapse on the top of the food.

"Our food fairy is here," noticed one of the boys and ran happily to me. Mark just helped to get my arms out of the bag drips and moved a bit to the side.

"You're crazy," he chuckled and shook his head in disbelief. "I would have sent a car if you called."

My eyes widened. "Why didn't you mention such an important information?"

"I don't know, I thought you would call if anything. Little did I expect you to be so fierce to get us lunch."

I tried to act offended, but I was too tired to stick to it.

"Also, this is the part of the group you haven't met yet," he said and pointed to the six boys in front of me. "The younger ones."

"Who's here young to you?" called back one with a mask and Mark stood up to match his silly march. "We are very mature grown-up men."

"Of course you are, Jaemin."

Mark's switch to Korean was so smooth I didn't notice it in the first second.

"Hey, you count with us, remember? Stop acting all cool just because you brought Jessica in."

I turned my head in their direction. One step ahead, I see.

"Chenle's right! Show her who you really are, will you?"

Mark met my eyes and I had to chuckle at his defeated expression. He was so done.