Affinity // (GOT7 Markson)

Chapter Nine - Exhale: Pt. II

Jackson closed his phone case and stuck his head into his pillow. He had sent the message to Mark so spur-of-the-moment that he really wasn't too sure of what he would say. 'Hi Mark, my girlfriend thinks we spend to much time together and it makes her uncomfortable, so she wants me to stop hanging out with you.' Jackson huffed to himself sarcastically. He typed out a few draft paragraphs of what he was going to send to Mark before deleting them once he decided that he at least owed it to Mark to tell him everything in person.

Jackson woke up the next morning the same as he did for the last few days: coughing, aching, and sore. His flu like symptoms were only made worse by the night he went out and got drunk with Luna and her family. Jackson wanted nothing more than to turn the invite down and stay in, nursing himself back to health, but he knew that not only would his 'sickness' be unconvincing to the family, but that he would disappoint his father and disrespect Luna's. Every body knows that when a Korean family invites you for a night out drinking, you don't turn them away.

Jackson was more concerned with how he looked in his father's eyes than in Luna's. Ever since the cancer scare, Jackson was under more and more pressure from his father to take over the family business as CEO of the company. The thought of bearing such responsibility at his age terrified the young man, scratching away at the back of his brain, causing him constant anxiety and keeping him up at night more than the sickness. All he had ever heard growing up was how spoiled and pampered he was, and people referred to him as "Daddy's Boy.' That really confused Jackson, because he had never asked to be born into wealth, or to have his father look after his every need. His father had migrated the family from Hong Kong to Canada after the death of his mother, and since then his father has managed to create a business for himself and propel the family into one of the richest in Vancouver. Jackson really respected his father, and even though he was tough, strict, and conservative, Jackson wanted nothing more than to make his father's days less stressful by being the son he deserves. That is part of the reason Jackson began dating the daughter of his father's business partner. That didn't bother Jackson much, because Luna was gorgeous - she had perfect soft skin, silky copper hair that fell to her shoulders, and a style that was unmatched by anyone in western Canada. They had only been dating for a couple of weeks, but Jackson could feel the pressure from his father to make a good and long lasting wife out of Luna. It would make the most fiscal sense, because Luna understood her father's company and would be a powerful ally for Jackson. The only problem; however, was how controlling and demanding Luna was becoming. She had ordered Jackson to limit his interactions with other girls, and the worst of all: terminate his friendship with Mark.

"Mark is gay, and you're spending way too much time with him." she had told Jackson, "I'm doing you a favor by telling you this. You know how your father feels about that lifestyle. He won't tolerate it."

She was right, sadly. Jackson knew how his father would react, and as much as he hated the thought of ever breaking off his ties to Mark, he knew that in the long run it would be the best choice for both of them. Mark would be upset, but over time school would start and he would make new friends.

***

It was 9PM when Jackson picked up Mark from The Ambassador. Mark ran down the stairs gracefully, skipping every second step in anticipation. He had a baby blue sweater thrown over his shoulder, and a pair of tan jeans on that had a rip in the left knee. Jackson could hear Linda making snide remarks about him to Mark, and ushering warnings to be safe of the 'drug smuggler.' 'Well, at least she cares about him, in her own twisted way.' Jackson said to himself, okay with being the bridge between Linda and Mark. Mark popped open the passenger door and slid in, putting the blue sweater on his legs and buckling himself in.

"Before we go anywhere, I have to ask you something." Mark started, in a very concerned tone that worried Jackson, "Is your dad okay?"

Jackson felt the air rush back into his lungs as the relief set in, "Yeah, he's going to be just fine." he answered as he pulled out of the parking lot.

After pulling up to an empty park, Jackson shut off the engine to his car, instantly making the entire area pitch black and silent. A few drops of rain started to hit the windshield, followed by a blanket of rain moments later. The droplets pattered on the glass, filling the frigid atmosphere between Mark and Jackson.

"So, what did you want me to know Jacks?" Mark finally said without looking at Jackson.

Jackson let out a small sigh, not sure of how to begin. "Hey remember when we went to the beach and you almost drowned?" he joked, clearly deterring.

"Stop it Jackson, just tell me. I'm getting worried." Mark said swiftly, making Jackson's smile disappear instantly.

"I'm not sure if you know this or not, but I have a girlfriend." he began, "She's my father's business partner's daughter. Her name is Luna. She's really pretty and I like her a lot."

Mark could feel his stomach start to knot up at the sound of Jackson describing his like for Luna. He looked out the window in order to hide his feelings. "Go on.." he said quietly.

"Well, the thing is... she doesn't seem to agree with you and I being friends." Jackson stuttered. "She sorta kinda wants me to stop talking to you or even hang out with you."

"So all of this is your way of telling me you can't see me anymore?" Mark asked, scared of the answer.

"Basically, yeah. I guess it is." Jackson stated.

"Wow. Alright." Mark quickly shot back, sitting back into his seat, staring blankly down at the sweater on his legs.

A few minutes went by as the two sat across from each other, pretending not to be as upset as they actually were. A flash of lightning filled the dark tinted SUV, illuminating Mark's face. Jackson could see in that second that there was a small tear coming from Mark's eye, a realization that made his heart sink. He had never, ever wanted to hurt Mark. Especially not on purpose.

"J-Jackson?" Mark sniffled.

"Yeah, man?" Jackson said attentively.

"Please take me home." Jackson could hear the tears in Mark's voice.

The interior of the car lit up and vibrated as Jackson started the car. A quick flash of lightning revealed Mark, still sitting there fiddling with his sweater threads, looking as destroyed as ever.

The rain continued to pour, and Mark said nothing else to Jackson the entire drive home.