Affinity // (GOT7 Markson)

Chapter Seven - Retrospect

Mark mosied around his apartment, filling in the hours that passed with light naps and binge eating. He was halfway through a box of graham crackers when he heard Linda call from the hallway, "Marcus. Mail, you have." she said in a dull, Yoda-eqsue tone.

Mark bowed to Linda on the way out and went down the elevator to retrieve his mail. Stuffed into the small aluminum box was a care package from his father. The parcel contained $500.00 in cash, stuffed neatly into an envelope that read, "Mark Tuna." Mark giggled as he read the misspelling of his name by his own father, as well as his dad's blatant hate for any sort of bank transfers or cheques. 'Very old school, dad.' Mark thought to himself as he began packing the box up. As he went to close the hatch, another envelope fell out and onto the white tiles below. Mark knelt down to pick up a letter labeled, 'University of British Colombia.'

Back in his apartment, Mark sat down at the table to examine the mysterious letter. Inside, he found a list of clubs that the university offered: Astrology Club, Anime Club, Debate Club, Gay-Straight Alliance, Ski Club, Tennis Club, Mandarin Students United, the list went on. There must have been about forty or so clubs on the list. 'How exhausting...' he muttered to himself as he flipped the paper over. On the backside there was a note written to Mark by the dean of the school, which he assumed was a computer generated message sent to all new students.

'I am pleased to welcome you to your upcoming year at UBC, and I look forward to meeting you in person. Attached you'll find a list of clubs and activities going on at the school. We know that it can be daunting to start your first year, especially if you've moved in on your own, away from your support network; however, you'll find that friends are just around the corner, all you have to do is look. Or, in this case, join their club. I hope you find something that sparks your interest. Enjoy!' - The Dean

***

That Sunday afternoon Mark had invited Krystal over to watch a movie and make dinner. He figured he could use some of her energy, seeing as his had been sapped from the day before due to the falling out he had with Jackson. This would give him a chance to reflect on the day's events, and he knew that Krystal would take his side and make him feel a little better.

"YOU IDIOT. You did what?!" Krystal punched Mark in the arm. "How could you just throw a tantrum and ask him to take you home?"

"Well..." Mark began, rubbing his surely-to-bruise arm, "I felt so betrayed. It was as if Jackson was looking down at me as some sort of charity case. As if I needed to be saved, or taken care of. Well, I don't."

Krystal let out a gigantic eye roll, and Mark wasn't sure if her eyes would ever go back into her head normally. "You know, Mark. When someone does a favor for me, I say thank you." Krystal spoke very slowly and pointed, "I don't say 'Take me home.'"

This was entirely not the response Mark was hoping for, and he could feel the undeniable sting of guilt settle into his abdomen as Krystal went on.

"As if you can even afford to deny the kindness of others. You are new here, you need all the help you can get." Krystal continued, "And besides, I thought you liked Jackson? Why the sudden womp-womp?" Krystal's mood went from patronizing mother to pouting friend in the blink of an eye.

"I do. I mean, I don't. Well, I did." Mark twisted his speech, "I just. I don't know. I guess you're right."

"Uh... huh..." Krystal said with a smile, "Yeah, I tend to do that a lot. Trust me Mark, you know I love ya but I'm not going to spare you the truth in hopes of not hurting your feelings. It's tough love, babe."

Mark knew deep down that Krystal was just trying to help, but still, the thought of hurting Jackson and being so inconsiderate and ungrateful was absolutely wearing on him. It felt like his stomach was doing back flips in his body.