Third Person

"You raped my sister?!"

Yeosang couldn't help but shout his thoughts out loud. The thought of Jongho taking advantage of his sister never crossed his mind. All he thought was his own sister cheating on Seonghwa for the past weeks. Yeosang immediately covered his mouth for involuntarily yelling inside the coffee shop. Luckily, it was only just them in the coffee shop. The workers were startled at first but continued working as if they didn't hear anything what the blonde boy said.

The red-haired male didn't answer him. He stared at Yeosang with regret and sorrow. He felt disgusted with himself. He's the reason why everything went downhill in the first place. Everyday, Jongho blamed himself for Lia's death and getting her pregnant to which is why he rarely comes to school. He couldn't handle seeing Seonghwa or everyone in school after what happened.

"I-I didn't know what to do that time. We were so lost in our thoughts. We were both drunk." The younger tried to reason.

"That is not an excuse. You still took advantage of her."

"I didn't exactly rape her. She was so willing to have sex..." Jongho trailed off, "and I couldn't say no."

"Jongho..." Yeosang looked disappointed at Jongho's past actions. "What exactly happened?"

Jongho diverted his gaze away from the older. He took a deep breath, preparing himself to tell everything to his lover's brother.

"It all started at Hwang Hyunjin's place..."

[Flashback] --- three weeks before the accident

"Hey! You coming tonight? The party starts at 6 p.m. sharp." Hyunjin, a classmate of Jongho, asked the latter who was packing his books in his bag.

The red-haired nodded, "Yeah bro. I'll be there. Can I bring San with me?"

"Sure, he's staying at my house for the night anyway." Hyunjin shrugged, "Just don't bring sophomores with you. My friends and San are the only exception since he's my cousin."

"Got that. Thanks dude." Jongho gave a fist bump to the taller male before leaving the classroom.

Jongho slung his bag to his shoulder when walking out the classroom. He was about to go upstairs to the third floor to inform San about the party, but then he saw Lia harshly shutting her locker close. He raised an eyebrow at the girl's aggressiveness.

"Hey Jisu," The red-haired called the girl by her Korean name. Since the two are very close, Lia lets Jongho call her that. Though, the girl prefers to be called her English name rather than her Korean one.

"Hey Jongho." Lia unenthusiastically sighed out.

Jongho noticed how distressed she looked, "Why the long face?"

Lia groaned, "It's Seonghwa. We had a fight yesterday and until now he wouldn't talk to me."

The red-haired boy was skeptical upon the younger's statement. It's usual that the couple would fight a lot. The male knows since Lia was his best friend too. Instead of feeling happy at the thought of his best friend and the girl he loves in secret, he felt sad and pissed rather. He doesn't want to see Lia hurt in any type of way.

"Really? What did you guys argue about?"

"Boys." The brown-haired girl rolled her eyes. "I hung out with Soobin, Beomgyu and Taehyun the other day and Seonghwa found out. He doesn't trust me with boys and I hate it. He is too protective. Now, he forbids me to go to the twins's place." Lia scoffed, pertaining to Hyunjin and Yeji's party later night.

"Ahh," Jongho slowly nodded, getting her point, ignoring the fact that he felt resentful at the three boys mentioned. Having the urge, he wrapped his arm around the shorter girl's shoulders. "You know, Seonghwa-hyung never has the right to forbid you to go to the Hwang's place. You have your free-will and you deserve to have fun after that long ass final exam."

Lia annoyingly glanced at the taller, "He'll get mad at me if I go--"

"Now, now, who is he to tell you what to do?"

"He's my boyfriend, Jongho." the brown-haired stated as if she was saying the most obvious shit in the world.

The latter rolled his eyes, feeling a little envious. "Exactly. He's just your boyfriend. Not your dad. C'mon Jisu-ah, it's just one time. It won't hurt."

The said girl gazed down to the floor, contemplating whether she should go to the party or stay at home. She wanted to go with Seonghwa but this is a party for freshmans, meaning no sophomores allowed. Her guts tell her to pass this once but since she was so pissed at her boyfriend, she wants to go to the party. The only problem now is, she doesn't have a car since her parents are in a three-day business trip.

Lia thought of a bright idea. She held Jongho's wrist, that was wrapped around her, and faced the latter with hope in her eyes.

"You're going right?"

Jongho nodded.

"Great! Can you pick me up tonight? I swear, I'll treat you a drink later on!"

The red-haired stared on how beautiful the brown-haired was. His eyes traveled to Lia's hand that was gently holding to his own. Jongho felt giddy all of a sudden and excitement washed over him.

He couldn't say no.

He showed his gummy smile, "Of course. Anything for you."

Lia clapped and giggled in excitement then hugged the buff boy after. "Aaack! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jjong! You're the best!"

Jongho was surprised at the sudden embrace but he wrapped his arms around her waist. He felt comfort and happiness. He'd be wanted to do this since then, but he never had the chance to because of his best friend. "You're welcome. I'll pick you up at five-thirty, alright?"

Lia pulled out and nodded, "Sounds great, boss. See you later!"

She saluted with a click of her tongue and walked further away from the taller. Jongho couldn't help but smile at his crush. He would never forget this day, definitely. Now, he's even more excited on what is going tonight.

Kang Lia, I'm so in love with you.

----

The two arrived at the Hwang's place. Jongho was driving and Lia was on the passenger seat. Jongho was supposedly going to pick up San but the latter already arrived at his cousins' place before them.

"You ready?" Jongho removed his seat belt after parking the car beside the basketball court inside the village.

Lia flipped her hair dramatically, "I am born ready." Both laughed at the girl's silliness until Lia spoke, "Hey Jjong, thank you so much." Lia wholeheartedly said and Jongho just smiled it off.

"It's nothing. Just enjoy yourself, Jisu."

They entered the Hwang's mansion and it was huge as heck. Both of them might get lost in there but thankfully Yeji was there to guide them to the pool area. A lot of people were already swimming, drinking and even making out. Jongho grimaced when he spotted his other best friend, San, making out with his two-week girlfriend.

"I thought sophomores aren't allowed?" Lia asked Yeji when she looked at where the red-haired male was looking.

The braided-haired girl just laughed, "San is staying for tonight. Minho, Chan and Changbin are my brother's friends so of course they're invited too." She retorted then dragged Lia with her to her group of friends.

Jongho frowned a bit but understood that she has her own group of friends to hang out with. He wanted to bother San but looks like he's too busy eating his girlfriend's face.

"Jongho! Glad seeing you here! Wanna drink?"

The said male looked at the person beside him with a glass of vodka in his hand. "Hey Jaemin." He looked at Jaemin's back to see three other people he knew: Renjun, Jeno and Haechan. "Sure. I want to get wasted tonight." he received the glass and didn't hesitate to drink it all up.

The group cheered aloud and the group went from five to ten to fifteen. All of them are having fun and enjoying the night without a worry.

It felt like hours to Jongho when talking to his classmates, drinking his shots of vodka at the same time. So he opened the lock screen of his phone to check the time. 9:12 p.m.

Wow, three hours had passed. If he's sober, then he would worry about the time. His parents must be worried as fuck. But now, he really didn't care anymore. He's not even aware that it's his eleventh shot now. Most of his batchmates are already drunk, some already passed out, and some were swimming to fucking make out there as if they were in an American drama. The other group of people played truth or drink, some played spin the bottle and most of them were just dancing their all.

Jongho was tipsy and he felt a little lightheaded. His group of friends were just playing truth or drink and the red-haired was one of the participants. He dodge three questions since those two questions were about his dating life and the other was about sex. Even though he was a bit drunk, he wasn't stupid. He would never admit his feelings for Lia in front of his batchmates.

From three to six questions now he ignored all of that and decided to drink the strongest alcohol. Some of them booed at the red-haired for being a coward and some of them cheered for him. Now he's too drunk, he wouldn't be able to take Lia home.

Jongho told his friends that he's going to take a piss. He stood up and stumbled to find the bathroom in this huge ass mansion. He did not know where he was going to. He went upstairs and find the closest bathroom he could see. Thankfully, he saw one just in front of him.

After using the bathroom, he washed his hands and left the room. When he was about to go downstairs, he spotted Lia alone sitting on the ground with her cellphone in her hand. Jongho noticed that the girl was drunk, her eyes were about to close; it seems like she is gonna pass out soon.

Jongho walked to her direction, "Lia, you okay there?" He asked in a rather slow and drunk voice.

Lia drunkenly looked at the taller male and smiled from eye to eye, "Hey...I'm great, handsome!"

Jongho giggled at his crush's reply. Too immersed with the alcohol inside him, he sub-consciously flirted with her back, "What is my pretty girl doing here?"

Lia blew her hair away from her face, "It's my fucking boyfriend. He wouldn't talk to me still. I feel like he doesn't give a shit about me at all!"

Jongho frowned. He bent down to be on the same level as Lia. He brushed her bangs away from her face, scrutinizing every inch of his. Jongho thought she was so beautiful, so tempting, so perfect like she was Aphrodite.

"I missed you." Lia whispered, while making grabby hands for Jongho to carry her.

Jongho complied and effortlessly carried the shorter girl, taking her in one room. The red-haired was beyond thankful that there is no one on the second floor. The room they entered was pitched dark. Jongho put her down on the bed and leave her there for her to sleep.

But Lia instantly grabbed his arm, pleading him to stay. "Please lock the door and stay with me, tonight." She said in a very quiet voice but Jongho was able to hear her clearly.

He obeyed and locked the door and laid down beside her. The brown-haired didn't hesitate to cuddle Jongho's buff body. Jongho swore it feels too good to be true.

"Please help me forget."

The red-haired looked at the girl, perplexed at her words. But he felt her hands roamed around his broad chest, finding the button of the male's polo shirt to undo it.

"No, sweetheart..." Jongho trailed off yet moaned at the touch. "This is...wrong."

"I don't care. Help me forget that all of these happened. Please."

Jongho caressed her cheek, feeling her warm breath hitting his face. Jongho gently held her body as he turned his own to connect their lips. Lia wrapped her arms around the red-haired's neck, enjoying the synchronization of their lips together. He knew Lia wasn't in the right state of mind, and so was he. He was so immersed with the sexual tension, feeling, temptation and the girl in front of him. He knew what they are going to do is absolutely wrong.

But he couldn't say no.

----

The morning after, Jongho woke up by the sound of someone screaming.

"What the fuck is going on here?!"

The red-haired jolted his eyes open when he saw San with his eyes wide open. He glanced to the side to see Lia panicking at the situation. They were both naked and covering themselves under the sheets.

"S-San, it's not what it looks like--"

"Don't fuck with me, Choi Jongho. Now explain!" San threw a dead glare to his best friend.

"What happened?" Lia spoke this time, so confused with the situation.

San gasped and looked at his best friend again, "You fucked her without her consent?" The black-haired yelled disappointingly.

"I was drunk too! It wasn't supposed to be this way!"

The two males heard sobbing from the girl beside Jongho. The latter bit his lip and tried to comfort Lia in any possible way. San sighed, feeling bad for the two.

"What am I gonna do? I can't tell Seonghwa that I've had sex with his best friend. Please I swear this was just an accident, San. We were both drunk. This wasn't supposed to happen in the first place." Lia's hands were shaking vigorously as she didn't know what to do.

Jongho swallowed and faced San, "San, please leave us two for a while. I'll explain and talk to you later."

San couldn't help but sigh and nodded. "Better be thankful that the twins are still in bed. Call me when you guys are ready so I sneak you two out." He said and left the room

Jongho abruptly looked at Lia, "Lia, I am so sorry. Fuck."

The said girl wiped her tears and shook her head, still avoiding eye contact. "No, don't be sorry. We were both drunk. None of us expected this to happen." Lia sighed, then widened her eyes when she realized something, "Jongho, did you used protection?"

Jongho's heart dropped down to his ass when he realized, "Fuck. I didn't." The red-haired cussed at himself for being irresponsible.

"What?! I'm not on the pill! Seonghwa will surely find out. I can't let him find out what happened between us." She bit her lip, trying to figure out what to do.

"Okay--ummm--let's just put our clothes on and talk about this in the car." Jongho tried to calm the younger down. Lia had no other choice but nod and pick their clothes up from the ground and changed.

Now they are outside, Jongho promised to explain everything to San. The raven-haired knew that what they did was wrong, but kept his word not to tell anyone about that night. Thankfully, it was only them who stayed the night at the mansion, and thankfully Hyunjin and Yeji were still asleep.

"Hey, I don't to be part of your business, but you really need to be careful. You're already fucking things up, not gonna lie. It's best to tell Seonghwa when you guys are ready." San patted his best friend's shoulder and the red-haired bit his inner cheek, hesitant to agree with him but nodded anyway.

Lia and Jongho got in the car and drove away from the mansion.

It was silent at first as both of them are still processing what happened earlier. Lia never intended to cheat on Seonghwa while Jongho never intended to take advantage on the girl. Disgust and guilt are the only words they felt.

The brown-haired broke the silence, "I smell like alcohol, can we go to your place first? I don't want my parents and Yeosang to know that I drank last night."

"Sure. We can go to my sister's place to give you some spare clothes."

Lia gave a small smile, "Thank you."

They arrived at the place. Lia felt nervous for some reason but Jongho was there to calm her down. The red-haired knocked on the door, "Yujin? You home?"

The door opened and was greeted with a radiant smile from the latter, "Jongho! Didn't know you're coming over. Why didn't you tell me?" Yujin then faced at the person beside her brother, "Oh hello there. You must be Jongho's friend. Why don't you guys come in?" She stepped aside for the two to enter.

"Sorry for the bother, but can we borrow your shower and clothes for her?" Jongho suddenly felt embarrassed asking his sister, yet Yujin nodded without a doubt.

"Of course! No worries." The older said, "Thank goodness you guys came, I couldn't finish the breakfast I made since Taehyung had to go to work early." Yujin rolled her eyes but laughed after.

"Thank you sis, you're the best."

Lia smiled, "Thank you so much, Yujin-noona." She said wholeheartedly

----

Now, the two arrived at the Park's residence. Yes, Seonghwa's place. Lia thought of an idea to apologize her boyfriend and make love to him to cover up what she did to Jongho. It seemed like a bad idea, which is an understatement, evil idea rather but it should be the only way for Seonghwa not to find out.

The brown-haired thanked Jongho for the ride. The latter nodded and watched his crush getting out of the car and walked to the doorstep of Seonghwa's house.

As expected, Seonghwa opened the door and was surprised at Lia's presence. The red-haired watched from afar with a bitter expression. Lia ran to hug her boyfriend, assuming that she's apologizing for the argument they had the other day.

Jongho gritted his teeth when he saw the couple kissing while hugging. He felt a new droplet of tear strolling down from his eye as he bitterly watched the two from afar. Jongho decided to leave the place. He can't handle the scene in front of him.

It hurts to see the person that you love with someone that is not him.

---- the day of the accident, the conversation of the two.

Lia asked to meet up with Jongho in secret. It is now confirmed that the seventeen year old is pregnant, Lia knew it wasn't Seonghwa's baby that she's carrying. All she felt was guilt when she learned that she's two weeks pregnant with Jongho's child.

They are now standing face to face. Jongho was preparing himself on what the girl will say. Lia felt nervous on what the red-haired will react because she had two options, yet she chose the second one.

"I want to abort it, Jjong. I'm sorry."

Jongho was sad at her decision, but he is not the one carrying it so it didn't give him the right to tell her to keep it. Plus, he knew it would cause conflict if she choose to keep the baby.

Lia never wanted to abort her child but since the situation is so complicated, this is her only choice. It is not that she doesn't love her baby, it's because she's too afraid on what will happen if her boyfriend finds out that it's not his child. She loves Seonghwa so much and she doesn't want to hurt him. She doesn't want to marry Seonghwa with guilt inside her heart, so she chose to abort it instead.

Jongho could not help but wonder, "How did you know that it's mine? I thought you had sex with Seonghwa after our night?"

"We did, but he used protection. So, I'm a hundred percent sure that it's yours." Lia answered nonchalantly, still avoiding her gaze from the male.

The taller sighed, "Well I don't really want you to abort it, but if that's what you want then I'll respect your decision, Lia."

Lia sighed heavily, mumbling a "thank you" to the male in front of her.

Jongho swallowed greedily and took a step forward to engulf her in a hug, kissing her forehead after.

The taller then bent down to level himself on Lia's bump, "I'm sorry, baby." Jongho said indirectly to his child and kissed the bump for a mere three seconds.

He stood up and gave Lia once last sad smile before leaving her.

Oh, how he could wish there's another way, but sadly it must be this way.

---- [End of Flashback]

Yeosang couldn't believe it. Now this is what Lia meant accident. Now he wonders, what will actually happen if he didn't pressure Lia to tell Seonghwa that time? He knew it won't be the same. It would be so much different.

It still didn't changed the fact, accident or not, they both still betrayed Seonghwa.

"I don't know what to say." Yeosang finally spoke truthfully.

"I just hope you understand what I'm going through. All I felt was guilt even before Lia's death. That is why I am distancing myself from my friends because even when I see them, I feel even more guilty."

Yeosang frowned at the red-haired's words, "I do understand now. Thank you for telling and trusting me, Jongho. But I still advice to you tell Seonghwa the truth, he deserves to know, really."

The younger scoffed, "What will I gain from that? Peace or war between him and I?"

"Seonghwa would much rather know the truth from you. You can't just keep this to yourself and hide this forever, you would feel even more guilty for not telling Seonghwa. That heavy feeling will come off if you will tell him. Trust me."

Jongho was silent at the older's advice. He knew he was right. All he kept thinking the past few days was Lia, the party, the accident, and his best friend. The latter sighed, conflicted on whether he should do the right thing or not.

"I need time, Yeosang." The red-haired said.

"Of course, take the time you want. Just make sure you'll be able to tell Seonghwa, alright?" The older comforted and gave a genuine smile to the younger.

Jongho gave back a sincere smile, "Thank you so much, Yeosang."

----

phew! this is the longest chapter i've written so far.

i finished my exams and the school year!!! yay, i could finally focus on writing and my job at starbucks (hopefully i'll pass the interview next week) and aaaaack i'm so excited for kingdom!!!

and yay jongho finally told his reason! are you surprised? mad? relieved? sad? bc i really felt bad for him when writing the chapter huhu.