Book 2: Park Jihoon || In a blink of an eye

6. Cracked

Lou's POV

I took a sip of my coffee then carefully put it on the table. I'm with Yedam in a Cafe at 1 AM in the middle of the night. We haven't spoken since I finished crying. I know he's dying to know what happened to me but... I don't know where to start. I don't even know if it's the right thing to tell him what his friend did to me.

"Are you... okay now?" Yedam asked.

"Yes." I answered him, loud enough for him to hear.

"I don't know what happened and I want to know but I can't ask you about it if you're not ready to tell me." He said.

The fact he didn't ask me right away what happened and considered the possibility that I might not want to talk about it made me relax, if only a bit. He's very considerate.

"I-I actually don't know if this is the right thing to do. But I want to tell you because there's no other person who needs to know this more than you." I said while fidgeting my fingers.

"Go on. I'm all ears. I'll listen openly." He said and smiled at me as an assurance.

I slowly told him what happened, from the beginning to the end. I tried my best not to break down while telling him but I ended up shaking and fidgeting as I spoke. I didn't dare to look at Yedam while speaking because I'm afraid to see his reaction, so I stared at my hands even after I finished.

I finished telling him everything. I waited for him to say something, anything really, but it has been seconds and there were only ticking sounds from the wall clock that can be heard in the shop. Moments later, I heard him stand up from his chair and walked. He went beside me and crouched. And suddenly, out of nowhere, he hugged me.

I was taken aback and didn't know what to do or say. Suddenly, I heard him sniffing. Is he crying? No, I'm going to cry too.

"I'm sorry about what happened, Lou. I feel so sad about what happened and I can't even imagine how scared you were at that time. I'm really sorry." He said and he broke down harder.

I started crying as well and returned his hug. He started caressing the back of my head which made me feel comfortable and safe.

"You don't have to say sorry. You didn't do anything wrong." I said, trying to speak clearly.

"I just feel so sorry because you don't deserve any of these. You didn't deserve to be treated like that."

~~~~~
At 2 am, Yedam dropped me off at my dorm. I entered our dorm and no one was awake. I slowly walked inside our room and thank God, Yoona was wearing her airpods; she won't hear me. I lied down on my bed and realized that I'm still wearing Yedam's padding.

There was a hint of his perfume on it which made me miss Yedam. The fact he went to me in the middle of the night and comforted me, I can feel how much he loves me. I suddenly felt guilty for turning him down and now, I feel like I'm taking advantage of his feelings for my own benefit. But I know for myself that it is not my intention.

I took off the padding and hung it in our closet. I washed my face again and went to bed since I still have to train later.

However, I can't sleep at all because the memories of what happened earlier kept replaying in my mind and I'm worried about what to do if Noa approaches me. Also, I don't know what Yedam will do to Noa.

~~~~~
Yedam's POV

I woke up and it was 7 am which means that I missed my alarm. I rushed to grab my toiletries and went to the shower to clean myself. After that, I quickly wore my uniform and was about to get my padding when I remembered that I gave it to Lou last night.

I grabbed my other jacket instead and my bag as I went out of my room. There were no one left in the dorm other than me. I remembered that I'm supposed to confront Noa before I go to school but I overslept. I decided to do it after school.

~~~~~
Song recommendation: Lim Changjung - Repeatedly

School had already ended and I arrived at the company. I reached my locker and fixed my stuff so I could change my clothes. I went to the restroom to change, and was walking back to the locker when I heard Noa's voice.

I secretly listened to him and it turned out that he was talking to Lou. They were arguing. Noa had the audacity to blackmail Lou if she told anyone about it. After Noa left, Lou started crying. Suddenly, the anger went up to my head and walked past Lou.

"Yedam. H-how long have you been here?" She asked as she grabbed my arm.

"Enough for me to know that he's trash." I firmly answered.

I released my arm from her grip and started walking to our studio.

"Yedam, no! Don't!" Lou shouted but I already made up my mind.

I aggressively entered our studio and they were all looking at me. I threw my uniform on the floor and aimed straight punch Noa right on the face. He fell and everyone stood there, shocked.

I went above him and started hitting him while he's blocking it. He pushed me and went above me as he retaliated. Everyone was trying to separate us until they successfully did.

"Yah! What's happening between you two?!" Seunghun shouted while he stood between us.

"Ask this trash guy!" I answered while the others were holding us away from each other.

"What are you talking about?! I didn't do anything!" He defended.

We both struggled to free ourselves from the others while cursing and shouting at each other.

"Yah!! Stop! Yedam, tell me what happened!" Hyunsuk ordered.

"This guy!" I yelled, "This guy! Tried to rape his own girlfriend and threaten her if she told anyone!! He's a piece of shit!" I exploded.

"What are you talking about? If you're planning to ruin your life, don't drag me with you!"

"Yah! Is that true?" Seunghun asked as he walked in front of Noa.

Noa tried to avoid the question but Seunghun kept repeating the question and telling him to stop avoiding his question. Eventually, Noa admitted it. He tried to justify his actions but Byounggon suddenly punched him on the gut out of anger.

"What are you even thinking?! Don't you want to debut anymore?" Byounggon asked Noa.

Noa started crying and the others released us. He kneeled down while crying and the room was filled with his sniffing sound.

"I'm sorry." Noa apologized.