Perfect Illness || lookism x reader

10. What a Scam

Not me ghosting y'all for almost a year lol my badd
the ending is a little rushed because i just wanted to get it out there

The moment an attempted kind smile spread across Zack's face YN knew he was up to something. His eyes narrowed, focusing on Namsoo with a predator-like expression.
"Namsoo, you're good at finding things right?" Zack asked.
The poor subject of Zack's intensity gave a double-take. "U-uh yeah, pretty good."
"Could you find me some..." he rattled off a brand and shoe name that was gibberish to YN.
"Hey Zack?" YN asked. Zack flashed a grimace at her, forcing it to a smile. YN grinned he didn't dare be cheeky with her after the convenience store. YN liked to think he begrudgingly enjoyed her.  "Why do you want new shoes? I mean you have quite a few pairs. And 300 dollars for a pair of shoes seems extremely overpriced."
Zack could detect no malicious intent behind her words. He leaned back in his chair. "Just because they're cool. And they're in demand, so status symbol. It's an interesting question... Although it seems like you should get a new pair, regardless of what I'm doing." He said, nodding towards YN's feet, on which were a pair of beat up converse. 
"I guess, It just seems kind of unnecessary, especially if you have a perfectly fine pair..."
Zack scoffed. "How'd you even end up with those if you're such a miser. Even those are like at least 60 plus. I'd expect you to have those ten dollar slides."
YN gawked at her own shoes. Needless to say, she hadn't bought them for herself. And now, she couldn't remember where she got it.

A few days later, Namsoo returned, saying he had found a buyer and was going to meet them.
"You're gonna go??" Zack asked "You don't have to do that."
Namsoo seemed incredibly proud of himself. "I know, but I really want to finish helping you. I'm also good at spotting fake products. Just trust me and don't worry."
"Well, it is easier for me but... Sorry about that... thanks."
After he had returned to his seat, YN leaned forward and tapped Zack on the shoulder. "I'm not the only one who has a bad feeling about this right?"
"Yeah, something seems fishy..."
Of course, the next day he was beaten and bruised when he came to school.
"So... They stole it all?" Zack asked after Namsoo explained the story. "You must've been scared. I really should've gone.." YN could read the shock on Namsoo's face, and secretly felt very proud of Zack. "You said you still have their messenger contact?"
"Oh yeah, it's still there." He showed the seller's profile pic. It was of a girl. "I thought it was a girl, but a bunch of guys showed up with her.
Zack fumed. "Now I know the whole story." YN playfully whacked him on the back of the head.
"This is all because you wanted overpriced shoes." she scolded.
"That fake phone is worth money. They'll max it's use until they're reported." Yui explained. THe group searched the number on craiglist.
"You could pretend to be interested in buying something and meet up with them." YN suggested.
"That way I could meet these rip-off artists in person..." Zack plotted, a vein bulging in his forehead.
"But you should change your profile pic so that they think you're a pushover." YN glanced over at Namsoo. "No offense, there's just a certain look that these people target." She shook her her fist. "Gotta look killer. No cute looks."
Namsoo blushed.
"Thanks..." Zack muttered, furiously working. "But how do you know this?"
YN mock saluted and smiled mysteriously. "It's a secret."
"Alright, let's go." Zack said, after snapping a picture of Jiho and contacting the buyer.
YN leaped to her feet. "I'll come with!"
Zack's lackey's also prepared to leave.
"Hey, just relax. I can go alone." Zack said
"No chance."
Daniel also stood. "Ah! I was just packing things." YN could sense his fear. It was awfully disproportionate to his fighting prowess.
"You thought you could get rid of me that easily?" YN chimed in. Zack rolled his eyes but grudgingly consented.
"Whatever just hurry."

And so, they ditched the rest of class. YN chuckled to herself. Honestly, what kind of school is this. Half the students don't go to class and the other half aren't main characters.
Sure enough, an entire department was ditching class following none other than Vasco of the Burn Knuckles.
Zack explained the story.
"Was the kid badly hurt?" Vasco asked.
"Yeah it's sad..."
Vasco glance down at her but when he realized her eyes were on him as well, looked away quickly and blushed.
"Bastards. Let's go together. YN, you should stay. Girls shouldn't have to protect."
YN smirked. "No chance. I've had plenty of experience protecting and this won't be much different.
Jace started as Vasco looked pointedly away from YN. "What? Vasco? Then you should go with our guys..."
"No, just relax and plant the seeds. YN is there for me, basicall one of us. I'll be back soon. Be nice to each other while I'm gone."
Seeds? YN mouthed to Jace. He shook his head.  Don't even ask, he mouthed back.
"Hey you guys stay here too. I will go with Daniel." Vasco said to YN and Zack's followers. The other three conceded. Daniel, Zack and Vasco turned expectantly for her to leave.
"Not a chance." She said firmly. No one questioned her.