Broken Crayons Still Color [Rated SPG]

Chapter 12

Diary entry: Jackson

Since Mark fainted while we were rehearsing, Jaebum has been constantly slamming Mark with questions about his disorder, but of course, Mark always denies his suspicions, and I always back him up. It's not that I don't want him to get better, I just don't want anyone to find out and get rid of Mark, because he's extremely talented and deserves to be here.

Since the performance is over, Jungmin hyung will be leaving us... but my main concern is our new choreography teacher, Woojung. He's my uncle, and I promised him I wouldn't audition for any entertainment companies but I think he hates me because he knows I disobeyed him. I'm surprised he still works here at JYP, honestly.

I'm worried how he'll treat me, but that's alright, because I have to get through it.

- Jackson

Jackson turned his head to the figure shaking him, waking up. Rubbing his eyes and yawning, his sight adjusted to the new light and he saw that the person was his manager.

"You've been here since last night, Jackson," He sighed. "I know you care about him, but Mark needs his rest and the members need you. Apparently the new choreographer is your uncle, and he has asked me to make sure you turn up today."

Jackson's eyes widened, glancing at Mark quickly to make sure he stayed asleep and carefully getting off the mattress. "W-Why..?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry," The elder thread his hands through his hair exasperatedly. "Apparently he wants to ask you something. Practice starts in-" He checked his watch, "twenty minutes, and I told him I'd bring you with me."

Jackson looked down, sighing, before stepping past the manager and grabbing his coat from the hanger. "Let's just go then..."

The elder nodded, opening the door and stepping out, leading Jackson to the carpark and getting into the car. "I'm sorry for what happened to Mark yesterday. According to the doctor, he isn't eating enough, which is strange because the current diet should be fine. Make sure he has no less than 700 calories a day, alright?" His glare was menacing, but caring. Why is he acting so sympathetic?

Jackson nodded guiltily. "I'll try..."

"Thank you." He stopped the car, pulling into a familiar studio and letting the younger out. "Good luck with Woojung."

Jackson nodded in acknowledgement, closing the van door and walking into the studio, inhaling. As soon as he stepped in, Jaebum looked at him venomously and rolled his eyes.

"And why are you late? Were you up all night with Prince Charming?"

Jackson frowned at nickname the elder gave Mark. "No... we were asleep all night, manager hyung only woke me up a little while ago."

"Oh. Well get changed." The elder rolled his eyes again, pointing to the bathrooms. Jackson nodded and made his way there, placing his bag on the ground and getting changed.

'Prince Charming'? What's that supposed to mean? And if Jaebum-hyung pressures me about Mark this whole session I don't know what I'll do...

He finished up, spraying on deodorant and leaving the bathroom, greeting the members again. They sat around for ten minutes on their phones, Jaebum occasionally sending Jackson the loathing glance and Bambam getting up to show Yugyeom some funny cat video. Aside from that, they all kept to themselves until the door creaked and opened, revealing a tall figure in knee-length shorts and a singlet. Jackson glanced up at the figure, realising it was in fact his uncle, and bit his lip hard. The elder turned to look at them, blinking when he saw Jackson among them.

"I see."

The members were silent as they snatched glances at each other, mostly staring at Jackson, who kept his head down.

"You weren't lying when you said this is what you wanted to do, were you?"

Jackson remained silent.

"Jackson, answer me." The elder stepped closer menacingly.

Looking up, the younger finally replied. "No, I wasn't lying."

"Why would you disobey me? I specifically told you not to pursue this. I was trying to protect you."

"From what?!" Jackson yelled, silencing everyone's whispers.

"From what, you ask? From this. I can see that you haven't been sleeping nearly enough lately. I know the diet. I know everything."

"You hate me, Woojung."

"I do. I do hate you. I hate you because you lied and broke a promise." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "But I'm your choreographer now."

Jackson looked down, biting his lip nervously.

Jaebum saw his reaction and quickly stood up, bowing and introducing them all.

The lesson proceeded as usual, Woojung occasionally sending Jackson a glare, until he stopped the music halfway, making the members look at him confusedly. "Aren't there seven of you?" He frowned, counting. "Where's the seventh?"

"He had an injury and now he's in hospital. He'll be back soon." Jinyoung politely replied, smiling nervously to the teacher.

"Oh. His name?"

"Mark."

"Thank you." He marked something on a clipboard. "From the top."

As soon as their schedule ended and the six of them returned to the dorm, Jackson had a brief shower and changed into something cleaner. He told the other five that he would have dinner later, and left the dorm to walk to the hospital and see Mark.

It took him around thirty minutes to get there, and the majority of the walk was uphill, so the trainee was exhausted by the time he arrived to Mark's room. However, he still engulfed Mark in a massive hug when he saw the older reading a book in his bed.

"J-Jackson?! Why did you come?"

"Because I missed you, hyung." The younger giggled, causing Mark to smile and hug him again.

"I missed you too. I've been alone all day, but I assume you've been working hard?"

"I'm sorry I left before you woke up, I had to go to practice... and actually, we had Woojung today."

Mark's excited face fell, nervously scanning the other. "Was he alright?"

"I guess... He kind of told everyone about how he didn't want me auditioning because of the conditions, which was embarrassing, and reinforced that he loathes me, but aside from that, yeah. He's alright."

"I'm sorry... I wish I was there to protect you," The elder smiled weakly.

"Don't worry about it. Have you eaten dinner?"