Twisted

CHAPTER FITHTEEN

The gentle morning light was deceptive, belying the turbulence that had unsettled Jessica's sleep the night before. After a few more hours of much-needed rest in Izzie's comforting presence, she finally stirred, feeling somewhat refreshed but still emotionally fragile. Silently, she slipped out of Izzie's bed, careful not to disturb her, and padded across the hall to the bathroom to prepare for the day ahead.

As she opened the bathroom door, she was greeted by a cloud of steam and the sound of running water. Startled, she realized George was in the shower. "Whoa, Jessica, ever heard of knocking?" George's voice echoed playfully from behind the shower curtain, his tone light but surprised.

"Sorry, George! I didn't realize anyone was in here," Jessica called back, her face flushing with embarrassment as she quickly backed out, closing the door behind her. The normalcy of the interaction, however, couldn't quite lift her spirits. Deciding she needed some space to clear her head, she thought a day off might help and remembered she needed to call Mark to cancel their usual ride together.

She dialed Mark's number, her fingers automatically tapping the familiar digits on her phone. However, instead of Mark's voice, a woman answered, her tone cheerful yet unfamiliar. "Hello?"

Jessica paused, taken aback. "Hi, uh... is Mark there?" she asked, trying to keep her voice neutral despite the surprise and a rising sense of curiosity.

"Just a moment," the woman replied, and Jessica could hear muffled talking before Mark's voice came on the line, sounding rushed and slightly irritated.

"Jessica? What's up?" His voice had an edge, and Jessica bristled at the tone, already emotionally raw from the events of the past few days.

"Hey, Mark. I just wanted to let you know you don't need to pick me up today. I'm taking a day off," Jessica said, trying to sound casual.

Mark's response was terse, his frustration apparent. "I don't care, Jessica. Do what you want." The sharpness in his reply cut through her, leaving her momentarily speechless.

Taken aback by his harshness and struggling with her own fraught emotions, Jessica retorted, "You know what, Mark? You're an asshole." Without waiting for a response, she ended the call, her hand shaking as she put the phone down.

Stunned by the abrupt turn the conversation had taken, Jessica felt a mixture of anger and hurt swelling inside her. She leaned against the wall, trying to process the exchange. Why had Mark reacted so harshly? And who was that woman? The questions spun in her head, adding to her already heightened anxieties.

Needing support, she decided to find Meredith, hoping for some sisterly advice on how to handle the unexpected hostility from Mark. She found Meredith in the kitchen, nursing a cup of coffee.

"Mer, can we talk?" Jessica asked, her voice tight with emotion.

Meredith looked up, concern etching her face as she noted Jessica's distress. "Of course, what's wrong?"

Jessica recounted the phone call with Mark, including his unexpected rudeness and the presence of another woman on the line. Meredith listened intently, her brow furrowed.

"That doesn't sound like Mark," Meredith commented once Jessica had finished. "But whatever's going on, he shouldn't have snapped at you like that. You deserve better, Jess."

Feeling somewhat relieved to have shared her burden, Jessica sighed. "Thanks, Mer. I just don't understand what's going on with him."

"Maybe give it some time, see if he reaches out to explain himself. In the meantime, focus on yourself today. Take this day off to relax and do something you enjoy," Meredith advised, offering a supportive smile.