𓍯10𓂃

Minho sat on the edge of his bed, Dove’s words replaying in his mind like a broken record. Her voice, raw with anger and pain, cut deeper than he wanted to admit. It had been exactly a week since Dove’s outburst, a week since she stopped coming to school.

His hands curled into fists. He thought about everything Stella had said about Dove—how she’d supposedly cussed her out, been petty, and started fights. It didn’t add up. Dove’s explosion today wasn’t the kind of reaction you had when you were guilty. It was the kind you had when you’d been pushed too far.

He couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something was off.

Later that day, he found Stella sitting on one of the lounge chairs outside, scrolling through her phone. She looked up and smiled when she saw him, but Minho didn’t return it.

“We need to talk,” he said, his tone sharper than he intended.

Stella blinked, lowering her phone. “Okay… What’s going on?”

Minho crossed his arms, his jaw tight. “Did Dove really cuss you out? Tell me the truth.”

Stella’s expression shifted, a flicker of something—surprise? Annoyance?—crossing her face before she smiled sweetly. “Of course she did, Minho. Why would I lie about that?”

“Because,” Minho said, his voice steady but cold, “it doesn’t make sense. Dove’s not perfect, but the way she acted today—she was hurt, Stella. That’s not someone who goes around picking fights for no reason. So I’ll ask you again. Did she really cuss you out?”

Stella’s smile faltered. “Are you seriously questioning me right now? After everything she’s done?”

“I’m questioning you,” Minho said, his voice rising slightly, “because none of this feels right. You’ve been telling me she’s out to get you, but what if it’s the other way around? What if you’re the one picking fights?”

Stella’s eyes widened, and for a moment, panic flickered across her face. “Minho, I can’t believe you’d even say that. I’ve been nothing but supportive of you, and you’re defending her?”

“I’m not defending anyone,” he snapped. “I’m trying to figure out what’s actually going on. And right now, you’re not helping.”

Stella stood abruptly, crossing her arms. “I can’t believe this. You’re letting her manipulate you! She’s playing the victim, Minho. She always does this.”

“No,” Minho said, his voice deadly calm now. “That’s what you’re doing. You’re trying to twist this around, so I feel guilty for questioning you, but it’s not going to work this time. I’ve let you get in my head too many times, Stella, and I’m done.”

Her face paled. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying this—us—it’s over,” he said, his voice firm. “I can’t trust you, and I’m not going to keep pretending I can.”

“Minho, no,” Stella said, her voice breaking as she stepped closer. “Please don’t do this. I’ll fix it, okay? I’ll apologize to Dove if that’s what you want. Just… don’t break up with me. I love you.”

He flinched at her words but didn’t let them sway him. “If you really loved me, you wouldn’t have lied to me in the first place. This is done, Stella.”

Her pleas grew more desperate, but Minho turned and walked away with Stella hot on his tail, his mind spinning. For the first time, he felt the weight of his mistakes—the people he’d hurt, the truth he’d ignored. And for the first time, he resolved to make it right.

Stella’s pleas finally turned into silence. And for a moment, he thought she might actually back down. But then she straightened up, her expression shifting from desperation to anger.

“You know what, Minho?” she snapped, her voice sharp. “You have a lot of nerve calling me a liar when you couldn’t even be honest about Dove. How long were you planning on hiding the fact that she’s your ex?”

Minho stiffened, the accusation hitting like a slap. “That’s not the same thing, Stella.”

“Oh, it’s not?” she shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

“You let me walk around thinking she was just some random girl who hated me, when the whole time she was your ex. You didn’t think I deserved to know that? Or were you hoping to keep it a secret so you wouldn’t have to admit you still have feelings for her?”

“I don’t have feelings for her!” Minho snapped, his voice rising. “That’s not why I didn’t tell you. I just—” He hesitated, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t want to make things more complicated than they already were.”

Stella laughed bitterly. “Well, congratulations, Minho. You failed. Things couldn’t be more complicated now.”

He sighed, his frustration mounting.

“You’re right. I should’ve told you. I was wrong to hide it, and I’m sorry. But that doesn’t change the fact that you lied about Dove and tried to manipulate me. This isn’t about me keeping secrets anymore, Stella. It’s about trust. And I can’t trust you.”

Her eyes narrowed, her annoyance giving way to something colder. “So that’s it, huh? You’re just going to throw me away like I mean nothing?”

“You’re the one who broke this, Stella,” Minho said, his voice steady but laced with exhaustion. “I’m just the one finally admitting it.”

For a moment, Stella said nothing, her jaw tight as she glared at him. Then she scoffed and turned away, muttering under her breath, “You’ll regret this, Minho. Just wait.”

He watched her storm off, a strange mix of relief and regret settling in his chest. Part of him hated how messy it had all become, but another part—maybe the more honest part—knew he’d done the right thing.

As he walked away, her words about Dove lingered in his mind, forcing him to confront a truth he’d been avoiding for a long time. Maybe he’d moved on, maybe he hadn’t.

But one thing was clear: he owed Dove an apology. Not just for last week but for the past and everything that happened since she came to KISS.

And this time, he wasn’t going to let his pride stop him from giving it.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

Is this the start of the ultimate character development we've been praying for?

Don't worry, no more fights for a while.... hopefully (ФωФ)