that one stained shirt | mark lee ✓

a bloddy sacrifice

Mark Lee: Also, I forgot to tell you. I'm going to Busan on Friday, staying till Saturday. You wanna come with me?

Jessica Suh: It'd be just the two of us?

Mark Lee: I think Jaemin, Jeno and Jisung are going too. It was actually their idea.

Jessica Suh: That could be fun. You gonna pick me up?

Mark Lee: Yep. Friday at nine.

Jessica Suh: Okay, will be ready.

Mark Lee: Cool. See ya, pretty.

But when I had agreed to come, I had been in a very different life situation.

I hadn't been wrapped up in blankets, clutching a warm pillow against my lower belly and whimpering in unbearable pain so early in the morning. She just couldn't wait two more days, this once! I did think a lot about not going. If I were to be like this the whole time, it'd be for nothing, and Mark could at least enjoy the trip without me begging for mercy back at the hotel.

But for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to text him. Was I scared to wake him up? Maybe. A shot of pain ran through my body, and I immediately knew what was stopping me. There was no way I was telling him the real reason.

What are you scared of? sounded Sarah's voice in my head. If he's a man, he'll understand.

It's just embarrassing, I answered her and muffled more into the blankets. I don't want him to know how bad it is.

I didn't think he'd ever seen anyone with so bad cramps before. It was petrifying and all I could do all day was to lay and pray to survive. I was hungry, wanting nothing more than a hot stew, but I just wasn't able to move. Sarah had to catch up on schoolwork and was either asleep or somewhere with Haechan at this hour.

Another painful bolt squeezed my insides, and I held my breath.

I didn't have many choices.

"I'm sorry, Mark," I whispered, and a sigh left my mouth as I reached for my phone. I didn't even look at the time, just opened my contacts and dialed Mark's number. My fingers felt numb against the screen.

It took him four rings to pick up.

"Jess?" he said in a sleepy raspy voice. "What's wrong?"

An instant wave of guilt rushed over me, but I had to do it. "I don't think I'm able to come with you," I voiced, trying so hard to keep my voice stable.

I heard ruffling of the sheets and a yawn. "What? Why?"

"Ehm, I'm not feeling well."

There was a pause. "Really? What's wrong?"

Dang it, I swore in my mind and took a deep breath. "Just stomachache. I must have eaten something bad or-"

"You can't sleep, can you?" he asked gently and my cheeks became warm. I was glad he couldn't see me. "I can come over if you want."

My eyes widened. What did I just hear?

"No, Mark-" Another painful squeeze. I hissed and exhaled a long breath. "You should get ready-"

"Too late, I'm coming. I can text Jaemin that I won't go, it's alright." Another shuffling and then the doors being locked. Tears rolled up in my eyes for no reason. "Can you come to the door?" he asked, and I just hummed in denial to prevent a sob from leaving my mouth. "Okay. I'll call you when I'm there. I just need you to throw me the keys out of the window."