Affinity // (GOT7 Markson)

Chapter Five - Remedies

Yes hi, I'm calling for a Mr. Mark Tuan. This is Janelle calling. You had dropped off an application for employment with us at Remedy Cafe. I'm just looking over the forms now but I'm calling to let you know I'd be very interested in having you come down for a interview. I'd love the chance to get to meet you in person. How does Friday at 2pm sound at the cafe? Please call me if there's an issue with your schedule. I look forward to meeting you. *BEEP*

Mark was nervous as usual for his interview, he was pretty surprised they called him at all. He had little to no work experience and nothing more than a high school diploma under his belt. It just didn't add up, but Mark just left it in God's hands, and remained grateful that they called him back.

It had been a week since his last interaction with Jackson, and even though it didn't mean anything Mark was still a bit under the weather. He found himself constantly checking his iPhone for messages from Jackson. "ME & U" had become the most listened to song on his iTunes, and he sometimes found himself texting Jackson, only to quickly erase everything and put his phone away. What was happening to him? Firstly, he couldn't stand Jackson half the time, and the other half of the time he was either laughing at Jackson or Jackson was laughing at him.

Mark laid on his couch, wrapped in a fuzzy brown blanket, going over his September timetable for school. He only had a month of summer left before school crept up on him and held his freedom ransom.

'Let's see, Psychology 104, Anatomy, English, Chemistry.' he flipped through the schedule. Nothing particularly interested him except for the English course. He enjoyed writing, it gave him peace of mind. Mark was a extremely intellectual boy, he had gotten straight A's in high school and had promises from his teacher that he'd become a doctor in the future. Mark always smiled and nodded, but never took those claims seriously. Nursing is where his heart was, there was more of a personal interaction with the patients he would have, and there wasn't the overwhelming responsibility when it came to things like death and talking to grieving families. Mark didn't do well under social pressure, and confrontation made him queasy. Nursing was something that he could do to help people as well as get to know them in the meantime.

***

It was midnight, and Mark laid in bed, going over what he would say in his interview the following morning. Every once and a while his mind would trail off, and he'd think of Jackson. 'It's quiet, cute, and cozy... just like you.' Mark kept replaying what Jackson had said to him at the coffee shop. Was there even a hint of seriousness in that statement, or was he simply being... Jackson? In any case, Mark had a big day ahead of him. He flipped over once more and pulled his grey and blue duvet over his body, trapping in what little warmth he could from the chilly air around him.

Just as he was dozing off, there was a flash on his phone followed by a small buzz: 'Jackson Wang has added you on SnapChat!"

'But how the hell did he find out my SnapChat username. Oh, my phone number." Mark's pulse quickened at the sight of Jackson's name.

Just then another buzz on the phone illuminated the dark room. It was a Snap from Jackson. The picture was completely black, with the words"You awake?" written in the middle.

Before he could send a reply, another Snap came in instantly. It read "I really need someone to talk to."

Mark suddenly felt a pang of fear hit his chest. Immediately he began catastrophizing, thinking of the worst possible things that could be happening to Jackson. He picked up his phone and shot Jackson a text message.

MARK TUAN (text)

"Jackson, it's Mark. U can call me if u want. I'm awake."

Within seconds Mark's phone started vibrating, Jackson was calling. Mark took a small gulp and slid the phone to accept.