(Part three)

TW: RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT

Word count: 3,738 (I got carried away hehe)

----------------------------------------------------------

The moment she set foot in school, she set off to find Jessica and pulled her out of the classroom she was sat in, chatting with her friends.

"Anything you want to tell me, Jessica?" Natasha asked, her voice laced with malice.

"No... are you okay?" Jessica responded, confused.

"Minho. I'm giving you one chance, so answer wisely. What happened that night between you and him?"

"Tash, you know what happened. He raped me."

"Wow. A year later and you're still keeping it up?"

"What? Oh my gosh, did you let him into your head? Tash, you're smarter than this."

"You just don't stop, do you? He's not in my head. I confronted him yesterday and his reaction made me investigate. Look what I found."

Natasha showed her all of the videos she took from the CCTV footage and watched her reaction intensely. Jessica's face slowly turned from one of disappointment to one of fear. But not the same type of fear she saw in Minho yesterday. She was busted.

"Oh come on, you don't believe that, do you? He's clearly manipulated that. I can't believe you chose him over our friendship." And the condescending look of disappointment returned.

"You're still going? The jig is up, Jessica. He doesn't even know I went to go find these videos. Just come clean already. Why would you lie about something like that?"

"Fine. I just don't understand what he saw in other girls that he didn't in me. I mean he literally fucks every girl that comes his way. So he should have enjoyed it. I did him a favor, really."

"What the actual fuck? You're so messed up. No means no. He said it so many times. Just because he's a guy or because he's done it before, doesn't discredit the fact that he didn't give you consent. Plus, you drugged him - you had this planned all along, even if he did give consent."

"But he's Minho. He just hooks up and ditches whatever girl, so I thought it would be a good taste of his medicine. He deserves it, really."

"There are so many things wrong with that - but not only did you do that, but you had the audacity to lie and say he raped you? And just like you lied, did it not occur to you that those girls who claim they hooked up lied too?"

"Why are you so worked up about this? He's not a good guy. He deserves it."

"Sure, he's annoying, but no one deserves to have their dignity violated like that. And you did all of that, because what? Him rejecting you? He's not required to like you back."

"Oh my gosh, just shut up already. You know nothing."

"Our friendship is over. I can't believe I didn't see you for the person you were in the first place."

"Suits me. I no longer have to pretend like you're pretty or like you're funny. You're such a loser."

"I'd take being a loser over being a rapist and a compulsive liar any day," Natasha stated and turned on her heel as she walked to her tutor room. She just lost her best friend of 7 years. So many emotions ran through her head, but she suppressed them and instead dug her head into her textbook, getting some extra study in before her tutor came and distracted her.

Minho was often pretty late to class, so Natasha was waiting for him to show up and...

And what? You're not friends. You hurt him yesterday. He literally said, "have a nice life". He doesn't want to see you.

But I have to apologize and show him the videos I got... I have to try and make it up to him.

Why do you care so much?

Because... why *do* I care so much? Because... I saw a different side to him yesterday. I would very much like to see that side again.

Minho didn't show up for form. (or tutor time idk what you americans call it) Or first period. But it was RE. Minho never missed an RE lesson, no matter what. He would never pass up an opportunity to argue with Mrs. Porchester. It delighted him to watch her slowly get annoyed and worked up, eventually shouting at him "Because I said so!" before moving on.

Second period. He still wasn't there. Natasha slumped into her seat as she took notes down from the board, uninterested.

"Hey, are you - are you okay?" Hyunjin asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She managed a fake smile.

No freaking way. Did Minho get to her already?

"Are you ready for our date later?"

"Huh?" She had honestly forgotten about that. "Oh, right yeah. I'll be there."

"Hmm, that's not very reassuring. What's on your mind?"

"Nothing, I'll show up, I promise."

"Seriously, you can tell me."

"I'm just worried. I can't tell you about what but I'm so worried, Hyunjin."

Hyunjin sucked in a breath before responding. "Minho. You're worried about him."

Natasha sat up slightly, confused about how he managed to read her mind.

"How did you know?"

"Oh come on, it's so obvious. You don't worry about school, you talk about your family in the most positive light - you literally have nothing to worry about. And then he barges into your life. The only thing that changed was his presence."

"Okay, fine it's Minho."

"I knew it. What did he do?"

"Nothing, it was actually my fault."

Hyunjin gave her a look of disbelief. "You don't have to defend him in front of me."

"I'm not! I promise you I was the one who hurt him."

"Really? Minho - as in Lee Minho? Hurt? How'd you manage that?"

"I was just very insensitive. I wasn't really thinking about him and I chose my friend over him."

"As you should."

"No, you don't get it! I was wrong, he was right and I crossed several boundaries and I was so rude. He honestly did nothing wrong. I was the insensitive one."

As the bell rang, Hyunjin got up and placed a finger under her chin, tilting her head both ways until he murmured "What did he do to you? You're completely under his spell."

At this remark, Natasha got annoyed and slapped his hand away. "Nothing. He did absolutely nothing. Why does everyone keep asking me that? Why can't you just listen to me when I say nothing happened? I can take care of myself, thank you very much. I'm smart enough to know when I'm being manipulated. And plus, it's Minho of all people. I wouldn't cover for him if he really did something. I would tell you or someone the moment he overstepped. Now if you'll excuse me..."

I have a school to sneak out of, she quietly finished the sentence off in her head.

Students at her school were allowed to go out to the high street in front of her school to buy food during break, as long as they came back into the school before the next lesson started. They had to sign out and sign in to show when they left and came back. Natasha signed out, with no intention to return, especially not without Minho. She crossed the road and entered into one of the shops, waiting for the right moment to run in the opposite direction to Minho's house. A student approached the teacher on duty, causing her to turn around. Natasha seized the opportunity and ran like crazy.

Natasha arrived in front of Minho's house and rang the doorbell, to no avail.

She kept ringing the doorbell, and the door eventually opened to reveal Mrs. Lee.

"Oh! Hello darling, aren't you supposed to be at school?"

"Um yes, but," quick, think of something believable. "I left my glasses here yesterday so I needed to come and get them during break." What kind of lie is that? Natasha mentally face-palmed. She should probably start practicing lying a lot more.

"Oh okay, go ahead. I'm just going to head out to work. There's a spare key to your left, make sure to lock up when you're done."

"Is Minho not home?"

"No, he's at school. Didn't you see him?" Mrs. Lee asked as she eyed Natasha's uniform.

"Oh, I wouldn't know. He's in a different class." Natasha quickly lied, gaining a skeptical glance from his mother. She shrugged it off and continued to her car, so Natasha stepped inside.

Was Minho really out or did he just fake leaving to fool his mother?

Natasha walked around the house, a bit scared because it was just that big. After a while, she could hear faint noises coming from down a hallway. She cautiously walked down, making her feet sound as light as possible.

"Minho? Are you in here?" Natasha asked as she tried to turn the door handle only to hear a click followed by silence.

"Did you seriously just lock the door? Just let me in please, I won't bite."

Silence.

"Please, I know you're hurting. Please don't hurt alone."

More silence.

She mustered up her courage to put her pride aside and say what he deserved to hear.

"I'm sorry, Minho. A thousand times sorry. You were right." Natasha admitted sincerely as she slid down the door, having given up.

Click.

That one sound lifted her spirits and she immediately opened the door to find Minho hugging his knees in a - a walk-in wardrobe? No freaking way.

Natasha immediately pushed the thought away, instead joining Minho on the floor and gently pushing his legs away to free up space. Space for her to hug him.

She wrapped her arms tightly around him, allowing him to press his face into her shoulder. She let him sob for a while before softly whispering, "I'm so sorry. I believe you." and then rocking him back and forth whispering "It's okay, it's over now, you're safe now." again, and again.

At this action, Minho clung tightly to her, steadying his breathing while listening to her repeat the phrase he so badly needed to hear right now. When he regained his composure, he pulled away from her embrace and sat against the wall, facing her.

"Why are you here?" Minho asked. He was quite surprised to hear her voice in his house earlier, during school hours of all time.

"Have you eaten?"

"No, but-"

"I'll make you breakfast, then," Natasha replied, not really too sure why she was here either. She stood up and held out a hand to Minho.

He stared at it, debating on what to do.

Take it, don't leave the girl hanging.

Yeah, exactly, she ditched school for you. She's safe.

But why did she do that? We're not close. She hates me.

Maybe she's here for something else...

I should just take her hand so the situation doesn't go south...

Just as Minho was about to take her hand, Natasha pulled it away. She could sense his hesitation, and maybe even his discomfort, so she just decided to help him out.

"Alright, I get it. You're a big boy, you can handle yourself." She turned on her heel to go to the kitchen. "You can come or you can stay here in this manky closet, I don't care." Natasha walked out to the kitchen and started to make eggs and bacon.

What was that? Can I really trust her?

Well, she didn't force me so...

Minho slowly got up and walked cautiously to the kitchen, leaning on the door frame when he arrived there.

"I'm not going to lie, I honestly expected to get lost before I found the kitchen. Your house has so many hallways and they all look the same." Natasha hummed as she left the pan to look for the spices, opening every single drawer.

Minho chuckled at her statement, finding her cute. He was still cautious of her, but he found her cute all the same.

At the sound, Natasha froze and looked up to meet Minho's eyes.

"You just laughed."

"No, I didn't." Minho averted his eyes from her, looking anywhere but at her.

"Yes, you did! I'm glad you're feeling better." Natasha smiled before turning back to rummaging through the drawers.

"Who says I wasn't feeling good in the first place?"

"Well, you certainly wouldn't have cried that hard earlier if you were happy."

"Touchè. And what are you looking so desperately for? The bacon's going to burn."

"Pepper and salt. Or do rich people just not do them? I don't know, do you guys use caviar or something-"

Another chuckle. That sound made her heart flutter.

Minho walked right up to her, causing her heart to pound faster. He kept eye contact and the smirk never left his face as he reached slightly past her to open the cupboard on her right and pull out the salt and pepper.

"No, we use them too. You just have to search a lot better than whatever you were doing."

"Hey! I tried my best! How was I supposed to know it was hidden away there?"

"It's literally right next to the stove, I have no idea what you're on about. It makes more sense for spices to be close to where you cook than for plates and crockery to be there."

"... Shut up."

Minho smiled and shook his head, amused. "Is it going to taste good after all this?"

"I'll have you know, this will be the best eggs and bacon you'll ever have."

Minho lightly snorted and leaned back against the counter. "Confident, much?"

"Just you wait and see."

Minho pulled out two plates and Natasha put the food on them.

"Two servings? Did you not have breakfast earlier?"

"I did - oh wait, I left early today. No, I guess not."

"How come you didn't have breakfast today?"

"I left early to go find this." Dropping her fork, Natasha picked up her phone, scrolling to find the videos. She was just about to show Minho the video before realizing it could be triggering.

"Why aren't you showing me?"

"It might be cruel to make you watch this... I went to the retreat center really early in the morning and looked at the CCTV from that night. I took some videos in case you wanted proof of anything."

"Show me."

"I - are you sure?"

"I want to make sure I'm not making this up."

Natasha's face fell at his comment, but complied and showed him anyway. She watched his reaction carefully; ready to stop the videos and comfort him if need be. So far, so good.

"So she really did drug me. I can't believe I didn't notice."

Natasha nodded, not really knowing what to say. She watched his expression go from acknowledgment to... was that fear? Whatever it was, he seemed much more uncomfortable than he was earlier. Natasha stopped the video and reached out cautiously to gently hold his hand. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have shown you that."

Minho didn't say anything at first, instead lacing his fingers in hers and staring at them for a bit.

"I can move my hand if you -"

"No! I mean, uh, it's comforting." A smile formed on Natasha's face as Minho turned away, trying to hide the blush creeping up his cheeks.

"Those videos - promise me they're going nowhere?"

"Of course! It's up to you to decide what you want to do with them."

"They're irrelevant. I don't want to do anything with them."

"But you could take these to the police! You could get her arrested!"

"They don't even come through for women's cases, do you really think they'll do anything with these?"

Natasha's heart dropped. He was right. She didn't know what to say, and so she squeezed his hand instead.

"God, what kind of man gets raped so easily?" Minho looked down, suddenly insecure.

"Hey, stop that. That happening doesn't make you any more or any less of a man. You're still valid. You're still the same bad boy Lee Minho that all the girls fall for. That hasn't changed."

"They only like me cause they think I'm some sort of prize to win, thanks to you."

"Uh... yeah... sorry about that... although I don't think those girls care too much about the rumor. Coming from a girl, they see you as a prize because you're so good-looking and highly desired."

"So what do you see?" Minho looked straight at Natasha.

"I'll spare you my opinion of what I thought before yesterday -"

"No, tell me that too."

Natasha gulped and broke eye contact, not bearing to look at his face. "An arrogant bastard who sees girls as objects. A cruel heartbreaker who leaves after he gets what he wants. A guy who I would really like to punch. Let's just say if you were on fire and I had water, I wouldn't even drink it. I'd just pour it on the ground while watching you suffer. And so annoyingly handsome."

Minho was silent for a bit. It made sense for her to think like that, based on what she was told. But it still hurt. It was highly probable that the majority of girls his age thought that way too.

"Punch me, then." Minho finally said, turning his cheek to the side

"What?"

"You said you wanted to punch me."

"Yeah, but not anymore."

"Are you sure? I'd want to punch me too if I was in your place."

"Minho - I wanted to punch you for a reason that's currently invalid. I'm not gonna punch you."

"Can you just please punch me? It'll make me feel better."

"I'm not going to punch you."

"Please-"

"No-"

"Why can't you just do it?"

"Fine."

Natasha stood up and let go of Minho's hand, walking round to his side of the table. Minho closed his eyes, anticipating the force of the punch, but Natasha had other plans. She lightly hit his shoulder before sitting down next to him. Minho's eyes fluttered open after feeling the slight contact on his shoulder.

"What was that?"

"You told me to punch you."

"Yeah, that was rubbish. You can do so much better."

"You're right, but I don't want to punch you. You were just so adamant."

"If I was in your shoes, I would've slapped myself in the face, at the very least."

"Why? You don't deserve it."

Minho shrugged. "I may not have done anything, but in your eyes, I was the worst of the worst. I hate people like that. Anyway, how do you see me now?"

"Someone's who's so misunderstood. Someone who I hurt badly. Someone who makes killer ramen. Someone who might need some support right now but will recover because they're so strong. And someone who is still annoyingly handsome."

Minho smiled at this and reached out to hold her hand once again. He laced their fingers together before looking back at Natasha and making eye contact.

"So you've always thought I'm handsome, huh?" Minho asked, with a dangerously cocky smirk.

"I might be naive or gullible, but I'm not blind. You're handsome, and I'd be a fool to pretend you weren't."

Minho's smirk widened at this, satisfied. " Thanks for the compliment. I'd be lying if I said you weren't beautiful too."

Now, why the heck do I have butterflies? He was just repaying the favor. He probably didn't even mean it.

Natasha cleared her throat, in an attempt to compose herself. "A-are you done with your food?"

Great. Why did I stutter?

"Oh?" Minho raised an eyebrow, the smirk never leaving his face. "Do you, perhaps, get shy when people compliment you? Or rather, do you get flustered when I compliment you?" He tugged lightly on her hand.

"S-so you're done with your plate?"

Stop. Stuttering. Natasha's heart was beating so damn fast right now.

"Answer the question, babe."

At this point, Minho's smirk left his face. There was no need for Natasha's answer, her stuttering the second time already being a sufficient enough answer. In its place was an innocent smile, and he tilted his head slightly. He was no longer curious, he was now teasing her.

Natasha, on the other hand, knew exactly what he was doing. But that didn't stop her heart from pounding in her chest. It was so loud that she was pretty sure that he could hear it too.

"Well, who wouldn't get nervous with someone as handsome as you complimenting them? And seeing as you refuse to answer my question, I'm taking your plate whether you're done or not."

Natasha turned away from him, pulling her hand out of his grasp to hold the plates. Minho, however, had other plans. He stood up and didn't let her hand go, instead pulling her back so she fell against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his head on her shoulder.

"You're beautiful. You're so damn pretty and I know I'm not the only person who thinks that. Your eyes are gorgeous. They're my favourite thing to stare at. Not only that, you have a beautiful soul. You help your friends without question. You stick up for those close to you. You hate telling lies, so you never do. You didn't hesitate to come find me, knowing I wasn't okay. You tried your best to cheer me up, and you fed me. You're beautiful inside and out, Natasha. I figure that people don't tell you that often."

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. After Minho stopped talking, that was the only sound Natasha could hear. It was at that moment that she realized she was slowly falling for him.

Stop. He's a flirt. He probably didn't even mean-

"You're beautiful. I mean it." Minho repeated, watching her facial expressions change.

Damn. That was the best compliment she'd ever received, and she didn't quite know how to react. Minho being so close didn't help either. This man is going to be the death of me.

"Wow, is that your heart? It's beating so fast."

Natasha immediately broke out of his embrace, face flushed and deeply embarrassed. Minho smiled and calmly took her hand in his and placed it on his chest.

"Don't worry, mine is too."

"You're nervous? Why are you nervous?"

"Because you're here."

----------------------------------------------------------

Okayyyy part 4 will be the last part, I promise.

I was honestly going to make part 3 the last part, but then it started getting too long so I just left it.

Also, grammarly uses american spelling and I have never being more mad or unsure of my own spelling skills -

Anyway, enjoy some Minho pictures:

Low quality picture of a high quality man ^^

yeah I don't think Minho is still my bias wrecker - sorry felix :(