dearest [mt+jw]

one

Mark

I'm walking to Jackson's apartment right now. He just got back from China. He's been gone for 3 weeks, so I miss him. I miss him so much. Though I shouldn't. I should hate him right now. He ran. When things got tough. He couldn't handle it and he just ran. Back to China, leaving me in Korea alone and confused.

I'm in the elevator and I can't help but smile; Jackson has that effect on me. Even when I (think) I hate him, I still love him. And finally getting to see him...I'm excited. I take a deep breath and get off and walk to his door.

When I get there, I see a single red rose at his door with a small black envelope attached to it.

I pick up the rose and read the envelope. It said My Dearest Mark.

Even though I'm alone in a dimly lit hallway, I can't help but grin like an idiot. Jackson Wang, you never fail to impress me. I open the envelope and see a piece of paper. I recognize Jackson's messy writing.

Mark let's talk. Follow the hints and find me.

Is this some kind of joke? A game. All I want to do is run into his arms. Forget all of our problems and hold onto him. Lately our relationship has been rocky, but what relationship isn't.

Your next rose is at your favorite coffee shop.

I roll my eyes. Fine Jackson, you win. I'll play along. My favorite coffee shop? Easy. I get in my car and drive to a small cafe just outside of Seoul.

I walk inside. And see a coffee with my name on it. Plus another rose with an envelope attached.

I take a sip of the coffee. My favorite and it's still warm. I open the envelope.

Markie your getting closer, I ordered you a waffle. Go pick it up.

I smile and walk across the street to a small waffle shop.

"Order for Mark."
"That's me."
"Here you go."

The guy hands me a bag and inside the bag and warm waffle and a rose.

You know that park we like so much Mark. Go there.

I take my waffle and drive to the park across the street from my apartment.

I see a rose underneath the tree that Jackson and I always sit under. I sit down and remember everything that's happen here. We've made so many memories in this park. We've spent countless hours here. We came here everyday after school in high school. We had our first kiss under this tree. We spent our college years under this tree.

I think back to my last memory of this tree. It's not a pleasant one. Jackson and me fighting over whether or not I should go back to LA to study.

3 weeks prior...

Jackson and I are sitting under our favorite tree in our favorite park.

Jackson's head is resting in my lap, as I read my book getting ready for exams which are just around the corner. I should feel happy, at ease. But all I feel is guilty. I got a scholarship for a college in LA. I haven't told Jackson yet, but I did tell my parents and they're encouraging me to come back home.

I put my book down. I put my hand on Jackson's face. "Hey. Let's talk." I say.
"Okay...But why are you being so serious. Is someone dying."
"No no. Nothing that dramatic."
"Okay. So talk."
"I got a scholarship. For a medical school after we graduate."
"That's great. Mark I'm so proud of you." He says sitting up and pulling me into a tight hug.
"But Jackson. Here's the thing. The school is in LA..."
"Oh...You don't have to go right. You got into other school's in South Korea."
"But Jackson I want to go. You should come with me."
"No."
"What." I say shocked. "Why not?"
"I have a life here and you can't just expect me to pack up and move across the world."
"I'm not asking you to do it tomorrow. Think about it. We could start something new."
"What's wrong with what we have here."
"Jackson, stop being selfish. There are two people in this relationship."
"I'm being selfish. You're the one telling me to leave everything behind for you."

I look at him. He made it sound so cruel like anyone doing something for me would be crazy. "So what, I just give up this opportunity."

"I don't know. Let's not talk about it." He says. "I'm going home."

And with that he leaves.

What I didn't know is that he left and I wouldn't be seeing him for another 3 weeks. I push the memory from my mind and run my hand over the m+j that we carved into the tree.

Things weren't always this complicated.

I wipe away the tears that are beginning to stream down my face and open up the letter.

I'm waiting for you at your place. Hurry I'm growing impatient.

"You're the one who made me do this." I say to the empty park. Even when he's not here, he's still bothering me.

I park my car and then run into my apartment. In the lobby I see another rose. I pick it up.

Get changed. There are clothes waiting for you in the bathroom.

I run to the bathroom in the lobby. When I open the door, I see a black suit. This is to much. The suit was beautiful. I love it.

I change quickly and feel another rose in the pocket of the suit.

Take the stairs up to your place. xo Jackson.

I walk through the lobby to the stairs. On each flight of stairs I see a couple roses. I pick up each one as I climb the stairs.

I get to the 4th floor and open the door. More roses leading to my apartment door. Finally I reach the door. And waiting on my doorstep is a black envelope. Before I open the door, I open the envelope.

For the first time in a while I actually feel nervous. I've known Jackson since I was in Middle School and I've dated him for 3 years now, so I'm comfortable around him. But he's not one to do something romantic or cliché things like this.

I look at the envelope. I can't wait to see you.

I take a deep breath before opening the door.

End of Part 1