Welcoming Committee - Markson

cinquante - F

Suddenly, Mark was having a difficult time enjoying his vacation. He was glad to see his parents, and glad that he could entertain his friends and give them a nice vacation in a new place. 

So what was wrong? Mark wasn't sure, but he knew that ever since that night in the pool, he didn't feel quite right. He was suddenly nervous to be around Jackson, as if something bad was going to happen. He was terrified that Jackson would try to confess. He didn't know what he would do if that happened. He was flattered to be considered attractive, but he got a funny feeling in his gut whenever he thought of being with a guy.

He just wasn't sure if it was a negative feeling or not.

He'd never liked a guy before, he hadn't even considered it. He couldn't say that it was unpleasant kissing Jackson, but everything that had happened since definitely was. 

He had known that Jackson was gay, of course. He had nothing against gay people, he just never expected that he would be the object of affection for one of them. And a friend, nonetheless. He was scared to hurt Jackson, and he felt like he was walking on nails, constantly worrying if his actions would be taken the wrong way.  He didn't want to lead the poor boy on.

He tried avoiding Jackson, but for some reason, it made his chest hurt. Not that it was any easier being around him.

And for the first time in his life, Mark wished that they didn't have a pool. They tended to spend the afternoon swimming after going out in the mornings. And swimming meant the guys were shirtless. And shirtless meant that Jackson's built body was on display. It had never bothered him before, but lately, it was as if his eyes were glued to Jackson's abdomen, and, even worse, his chest. He didn't even want to think about what was below that, though he often did.

Mark was at a loss, but he didn't feel comfortable talking to anyone about it. So he was stuck suffering in silence, knowing that he was bound to get called out soon enough for staring. But if he avoided the pool, it would only make him more suspicious. No matter what he did, the result would be potential exposure, and Mark still didn't know what he was even going to be exposed for. 

"Mark!" 

He nearly screamed when he drifted back to reality to find Yugyeom inches from his face. 

"Jesus, what?"

"Have you noticed how strong Jackson is? I mean just look at him. How many years do you think it took him to achieve that?"

Mark shrugged, but he glanced over at Jackson, just in time for Jackson to look at him. Coughing, Mark quickly turned away, biting his lip. 

"Anyway, what are you fantasizing about over here? Anything good?"

"As if," Mark stammered, "I'm trying to plan out where to take you guys tomorrow."

"The beach! The beach! The bitching beach!" BamBam seemed to sprout out of Yugyeom's shoulder.

"We went to the beach yesterday." 

"I want to go again." BamBam rolled his eyes at Yugyeom's unenthusiastic reply. He had expected some support from his best friend.  

"Do you not remember how much sand you got in your butt crack? Not to mention that you made me wash your hair twice so all the sand would come out."

"That's not all I made you do," BamBam winked, slinging his arm around Yugyeom and pulling him into a headlock. 

Mark managed to escape while they were occupied, sighing in relief that he wasn't going to be questioned anymore. 

But it was only a matter of time, as he found himself staring, once again.