swapped | markson

S E V E N T E E N

"To be honest, it hasn't sunken in," Mark admitted to Jackson.

"What hasn't sunken in?"

"It's just that i've been your fan for so many years, but you're not like I expected, no offense. And suddenly, we've switched bodies, and i'm you, an idol. It's just overwhelming."

Jackson nodded his head, "Yeah, it's all so sudden. I've never been so..." the idol tried to find the right word that wouldn't offend Mark.

"Unloved, I know." Mark finished. The boy felt a small pang of jealousy hit. Jackson and him were polar opposites. He was just flawless, Mark was not. He was an idol, Mark was not. He was loved, and as much as the boy hated to admit it, Mark was not.

Jackson frowned, though he had to agree, and he suddenly decided to change the subject, "So, I made you a friend today."

"A friend?" Mark's eyes widened.

"Yeah, his name's Jinyoung, I think." Jackson laughed at the memory of their encounter. Jinyoung was the type to disobey and adorably evade personal questions—kind of Jackson's ideal type, "He was being bullied 'cause I saved your butt from Daniel and those guys, so I kinda played super hero and was all like, 'Daniel, can I see the boy?' and Daniel couldn't help but obey!"

Mark smiled at Jackson's endearment of the memory, but he soon realized the situation, "Daniel listened to you?!"

Jackson grinned, "Yeah! The instagram photo plan was a success!" Jackson's smile dropped, however, as new thoughts crossed his mind. Why the heck am I acting like a kid?! And did I just...smile??

The idol couldn't recall the last time that he had been so relaxed. Maybe the body switch was more of a blessing than a supernatural tragedy. He needed a break from idol work, and he for sure needed time to have life just slow down and let him be just a normal boy, not an idol.

The smile re-plastered itself on Jackson's face, "So, how's the body-switch treating you?"

Mark shrugged, "Honestly, it's been pretty great. I've panicked a lot, but having my dream occupation is just—just amazing."

Jackson scowled jokingly, "There you go taking credit of all my hard work."

"Sorry, I didn—"

"I was just joking. Calm down." Jackson laughed. Mark smiled.

A comfortable silence soon came in as the boys sat side by side on a lonely bench.

Away from the bullying, living my dream, Mark closed his eyes, listening to the soft chirps and the trees rustling, if only time would stop.

He didn't know that Jackson was wishing for the exact same thing. It sucks that the world just doesn't go as everyone wishes.