MIRRORBALL ; QUINN HUGHES

One

if the moon went dark tomorrow
and if it all ended tomorrow
would i be the one your mind?
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ intro (end of the world) ariana grande

TATE

I SHOULD have hung up on Luke the second he asked me to drive the hour down to Canton, Michigan. I should have put my foot down and claimed that I had much better things to do this summer;even if I didn't.

But here I was, pulling into the driveway of the Hughes household. I shut off my car with a deep breath, hearing the front door close as the tall frame began to approach my car.

"Get out." Luke slammed his fists against my passenger side window, a crooked smile on his lips.

I slid out of my car, meeting Luke by the trunk as he hugged me tightly, taking my air with him. "Luke. I just saw you."

"Yeah, a month ago." Luke mocked, popping open my trunk. "Fuck, Tate. How much did you pack?"

Luke had left at the end of his sophomore year, going to play for the New Jersey Devils. When he left Michigan, it was dull for me. Luke was my comfort person.

"I'm staying here for three months, Moose." I shrugged, huffing as I pulled out one of the luggage's stuffed in my trunk. "I'm also a girl. I come with a lot. Let's put these muscles to work, eh?"

Luke rolled his eyes, grabbing the last of my things as we began to walk up to the front porch. The door still wide open as we stepped in the foyer.

I had met Luke's family a handful of times, I had grown up with them, that was the least bit of my worries. My biggest worry; his oldest brother, Quinn.

From the day that I had met Quinn, he had pulled me in like a trance. There was something about him that kept me holding on desperately, since I was eight years old.

"Okay, you remember the guest bedroom?" Luke huffed, struggling up the stairs as he stopped in front of the bedroom.

I nodded, watching him kick open the door with his foot before walking in, me following close behind.

The room was simple, fresh white sheets drawn over the mattress with pastel colored pillows. The wallpaper was a light blue, adding to the aesthetic of their lake house.

"My mom did the bed up for you." Luke chuckled lightly. "You remember where everything else is, right?"

I nodded. "Yes, Luke." Both Jack and Quinn purchased the lake house a year ago, buying it for their family as a staple of summer.

"Bathroom is across the hall." Luke informed me despite my own knowledge. "Quinn's room is right next door."

"Wait." I cut him off, wide-eyed. "I thought your room was next to mine?"

Luke shook his head, folding his arms over his chest. "Nope, I thought you knew where everything was?" I shot him daggers. "Mine is all the way down, just before my parents. If you need anything, just ask Quinn."

Luke made it seem so easy. But I avoided Quinn any chance I got, it had been easy considering we'd never spent much time in the same room together. I'd dart out before he'd get the chance to speak to me. I only had myself to blame.

"Maybe you and Quinn could actually talk this summer." Luke raised his brows.

"Does he, uh, does he know I'm staying?" I asked, almost nervous for his response.

Luke nodded, scratching the back of his neck. "Yeah, he does. I don't know, he's being kind of weird about it."

"Why?" I felt my heartbeat nearly pounding out my chest. Did he not want me here?

"I don't know." Luke shrugged. "You know how nonchalant Quinn is. I'm sure it's nothing, Tay."

I forced a smile, sighing lowly as I rubbed my sweaty palms over my jean shorts. "Yeah, nothing. Where is everyone?"

"Outside." Luke gestured, pulling me by my elbow. "Let's go say hi."

Luke practically dragged me down the flight of stairs, my feet pattering to try and keep up with him. He opened the sliding back door, revealing the large lake.

His family's boat sat docked, I could make out the silhouettes of three people.

"Tate's here!" Luke announced, helping me onto the boat as I smiled widely at his family.

"Oh, honey." Ellen was the first to approach me. Ellen had always been kind, the kind that makes you feel safe. The kind that makes you want to spill every secret. "Look at you! You get more beautiful every time I see you."

I blushed, hugging her back as I chuckled. "You're too sweet, El. Thank you for letting me stay this summer."

"No worries." Jim chimed in from the back of the boat, beaming towards me.

Jim was the same as Ellen, even if I didn't talk to him as much. Jim seemed to always be occupied, between sports and doing makeshift things around the house.

"Tay." Jack squeezed my cheek, earning a swat from me. "About time you spend a summer here."

"I know." I scrunched my nose towards him.

The sound of water splashing caught my attention as I glanced over my shoulder towards the built in ladder. It felt like time slowed as he emerged.

His fresh summer tan accompanied by his wet hair was enough to send me into a coma. I swallowed, the droplets cascading down his body.

Quinn eyed me, dragging his eyes up and down my body as he nodded towards me. "What's up, T?"

I shivered at the nickname, forcing myself to regain control over myself. "Hey, Quinn."

Quinn stood close to me, taking the towel that rest on the seat as he shook his head. In the process, water droplets soaked my chest, causing an annoyed scoff to slip past my lips.

"My bad." Quinn chuckled, taking the towel that once adorned his waist and moving it to swipe at my bare chest.

His thumb brushed against my collarbone, I felt lightheaded. His eyes met mine as he pulled back, creating space between us.

I released a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding as I no longer felt like I was suffocating.

This was going to be a long summer.

I need him in an unhealthy way. Sorry not sorry !!!!