Affinity // (GOT7 Markson)

Chapter Eleven - Escalation

"Make sure you guys are keeping up with the readings. Your first midterm exam is going to be next week on Thursday. Be prepared, I don't want anyone coming to me days before the exam scared and unprepared. You all know my office hours, I'm here to help you." Mark's professor yelled as the students left the classroom.

Mark packed his books into his leather studded backpack, slinging it over his shoulder as he followed the students out into the hallway. He was starting to get nervous about his first midterm. Although he was studying at least two hours each day, he couldn't help but feel like this exam was an indicator of how the rest of his semester was going to go. Outside in the hallway, Lee was sitting cross legged next to the door, his face lighting up at the sight of Mark.

"Long day?" Lee said, patting Mark on the shoulder, concerned about the exhausted look on his friend's face.

"Just stressed about this exam is all. I really need to do well. I want to prove I can do it." Mark said, rubbing his head lovingly into Lee's hand.

The space between Lee and Mark seemed to become more and more friendly since the night they kissed at the bar. Mark was unsure of what exactly they were, but he decided to just let it play out naturally, content with being good friends with Lee; friends who kissed occasionally.

"Tonight I'm gonna visit you at work, and bring you a nice box of tea and some biscuits my mom used to give me that she called 'brain food' when I needed to study." Lee decided, smiling at Mark.

"Oh right, I work today!" Mark said, ignoring Lee's sentiment. "I totally forgot!" Mark hugged Lee and disappeared down the hallway, walking like a madman.

"Yeah... goodbye to you to." Lee mumbled, confused as ever.

***

"It's not like you to be late, Marky." Janelle said when Mark finally came gliding through the door. "I almost sent Jackson to go out looking for you."

"Wait, Jackson's here?!" Mark stuttered, out of breath from the sprint there.

"No, not at the moment. He might stop by later though, I need him to sign off on some shipments that we received, since his father and sister are out of town." she said, skeptically, "Why are you two like, fighting or something?"

"No. Of course not. I was just wondering." Mark said quickly, trying to change the subject. "Hey is it okay if I get off an hour or so earlier today? I really want to study for this exam next week. I'm swamped."

"Yeah sure. Show up late, leave early. Why don't I just leave too and nobody will run the shop." Janelle mocked. "I'm kidding! Of course you can. School is important. I'll cover you for an hour."

"Thanks Janelle." Mark said, putting his apron on.

Three hours into his shift, Mark heard the familiar boom of bass from the parking lot. He braced himself to see Jackson, quickly looking into the reflection on the microwave to fix his hair; however, Jackson was not alone. Clinging to him like a life raft, Luna strutted in her heels, her orange hair bouncing at ever step. She looked like a haute coture model walking the runway. Jackson was wearing a dark black leather jacket and sunglasses, Mark couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy seeing the two of them together in person. They looked like rock stars, he thought.

Jackson was laughing at something Luna said when they finally entered the cafe. His delight was short lived though, as Mark came out from the back carrying a cup. Jackson's face went pale and blank.

"M-Mark. I didn't expect to see you here." Jackson muttered.

"Where, at my place of employment?" Mark snapped back. "Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you."