translucent [markson]

[Two] Jackson

School was all Jackson Wang had. Since the age of nine, he lived in Korea, focusing all his energy in studying. By the end of junior high, he was already fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, English, and Korean. The summer before high school began, and he started studying Japanese and French. Even with learning all these languages, he had time to keep straight A's in all advanced classes.

He met his two (and only) friends when he was ten. Kunpimook, or BamBam, and Yugyeom Kim were only eight when they met. The trio's first encounter began with a certain kid from Thailand stealing Jackson's hat for a dare, and ended with Jackson accidentally punching a teacher. Once the stubborn kids got over the embarrassing accident, they immediately connected with one another. Ever since then, the three spent every moment they could together.

When high school came around for Jackson, his heart was set on getting into JYP academy. Though he knew that he wasn't exceptional, he thought that maybe -- just maybe -- there was something about him that could get him into the school. He had always wanted to go to a special school; whether it was a music school or whatever, he just didn't want to be typical. The fact that it was a boarding school just topped it all off, because he would do anything to stay away from home. He knew his parents would more than happily pay to send him off to some nice school, but Jackson felt that getting accepted was just a pipe dream.

Then the spring before freshman year came, and Jackson couldn't help but take the chance. He went to take JYP academy's entrance exam, not expecting more than a notice that he didn't make it. To his surprise, he got a letter in the mail asking Jackson if he'd like to be further tested so he could attend the school. Most students only had to take the one test, but Jackson's case was different. The results of the exam itself were average, and could have gotten him into the school alone; however, it was his answers that caught the school's eye. In a rush and panic to finish, some of Jackson's long answer responses were written in a mix of languages. When the test graders saw this and showed the higher ups in the school, they wanted to see if Jackson was really able to fluently speak all those languages.

That being said, JYP academy really wanted him to attend their school. After passing his extra testing, he was offered a scholarship -- not a full one, but it still covered most of it. His family could have afforded the school without the scholarship, yet the fact that he was offered one made him feel special. He felt like he had done something right to deserve a place in the school, and it almost gave him a sense of belonging.

His freshman and sophomore years were somewhat lonely, since he didn't have any real friends at the school. People even strayed away from him, all because his schoolmates misunderstood him. Jackson had always been a hopeless romantic, and he wanted to be in a relationship even if he knew he was young. His schoolmates just assumed he was a playboy, seemingly going from person to person in an endless loop. No one bothered to learn that more often than not, he was the one who was dumped and that he never had ill intentions in the first place. He hoped, with every ounce of will in his body, that that would change when his best friends joined him at JYP academy.

Clearly, he was focusing on the wrong things.

"Yugyeom! Come on!" Jackson whined. "Stop being a butt face and help me."

"How did you even get there?" Yugyeom broke out into laughter, unable to comprehend the situation.

"I don't know! Stop laughing and do something already!"

"Nah, I think I'm good." A loud clicking noise sounded, and Jackson knew Yugyeom took a picture.

"Come on! I thought you said you'd always be there for me now that we're at the same school." If Jackson were able to move his arms, he would've already been running his hands through his hair in frustration.

"I did say that, but can't you just hear the gossip?" Yugyeom stifled a laugh before continuing in a falsetto voice, "'I heard that playboy Wang got stuck under his bed.' 'Oh, really? How pathetic.'"

"Yugyeom..." Jackson's voice was shaky now. To hear those words come from one of his best friends struck something in him. His thoughts suddenly spiraled in a dangerous manner, and he almost didn't hear Yugyeom shuffling around the room.

"I... I'll go get BamBam," Yugyeom mumbled, guilt swelling in his chest.

After about five minutes, Jackson heard the door open again and multiple sets of footsteps. He could feel his face flush, because he heard a third voice in addition to BamBam and Yugyeom's. School hadn't even started, and Jackson could tell that the gossip Yugyeom joked about was slowly becoming a reality.

"Hey, Jacks. I'm back with BamBam and his roommate," Yugyeom called out.

"So this a code purple, huh?" the unfamiliar voice to Jackson asked.

"Yeah, this has kind of happened before," BamBam responded, glancing at Mark's amused expression.

"This isn't the time to reminisce about my stupidity, please just help me."

"Mark and I will lift the bunk bed, alright? BamBam is going to make sure the bed doesn't fall down vertically. Mark is Bam's roommate, by the way," Yugyeom explained. In a matter of seconds, Jackson was able to roll out of the way and the three were able to put the bed back down.

"Thanks," Jackson mumbled, unable to make eye contact with anyone.

"Hey, Jackson, this is my roommate Mark." BamBam shoved Mark toward Jackson, but Mark did his best to resist the movement without being obvious.

"Nice to meet you, Mark. Sorry you had to meet me this way." Jackson had to admit that Mark was very cute, considering how Mark's shy smile caused Jackson to start smiling himself.

"It's alright. I have to say, it really added to my first impression of the school," Mark told him in Chinese. BamBam had mentioned that Jackson was the friend who knew a lot of languages, and that fact gave Mark a surge of confidence. As Mark was trilingual, he knew how much other multilingual people could bond over common languages.

"I wouldn't say that I'm the best person to represent the school, but I'll still accept the compliment," Jackson answered back, also in Chinese.

"Look at that, maybe Jackson's finally found a third friend?" Yugyeom whispered in his ear. Jackson sent a warning glare at Yugyeom and the younger immediately backed off. Yugyeom knew that if he got a third strike, someone wouldn't be invited to Jackson's welcoming dinner.

"He's from America, Jackson," BamBam told him in English. Although Jackson was still annoyed with Yugyeom, he felt bad the Yugyeom only knew Korean when the other three were talking in different languages.

"Oh, really? What part?" Jackson asked in English.

"I'm from LA-"

"Oh, LA, bro! So amazing!" Yugyeom cut in, with his thick -- but cute -- accent.

"Yeah, just..." Jackson began, trying to support Yugyeom's attempt at speaking English. "Just 그냥, man." [Trans: Just just]

"Well... um, it was nice meeting you Jackson, but I think I should finish packing," Mark suddenly said in an apologetic tone.

"Oh, yeah. We should finish too. Thanks again." Mark and BamBam nodded before turning around and leaving the room.

"Well, I think it's safe to say that we made a good first impression."