MIRRORBALL ; QUINN HUGHES

Two

cause im a fool for you and the things, the things you do
- ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ fOol fOr yoU, zayn malik

TATE

I GLANCED around the room that I'd be calling my space for the next few months, seeing the small assorted pieces hanging on the wall. I was procrastinating the unpacking.

I grabbed my bag of toiletries, heading across the hall towards the bathroom. I flicked on the light, my eyes dancing around in observance.

Little things laid around; deodorant, cologne, toothbrush, toothpaste, typical things. I moved to the second sink, pushing my bag to the corner as I hummed to myself, unpacking.

The door shutting with a click had me jumping, my head turning quickly.

Quinn froze in his spot, furrowing his brows as he stared at me with confusion. "What are you doing?"

"Unpacking." I croaked under his intense gaze. "What are you doing?"

"This is my bathroom." He said in a duh tone, making me mentally curse out Luke.

I parted my lips, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Oh. I, uh, I figured you all shared one."

"No." Quinn shook his head, his eyes never leaving my frame. "Jack and Luke share one."

"Oh, I'm sorry." I apologized, fiddling with my hands, trying to distract myself. "I can just share with them or something. Sorry."

I grabbed my bag, stopping as Quinn's voice echoed.

"It's cool." Quinn shrugged. "They're fucking messy, anyway."

I pressed my lips together with a slow nod. "Okay, thank you. I'll let you do whatever you need to do." I moved towards the door in which he still blocked.

Quinn looked down at me, my hand reaching for the nob as we were inches away from one another. In a snap, Quinn stepped around me. Like we switched spots, Quinn stood in front of the sinks as I stared at the white door.

I turned over my shoulder, looking at his back muscles. "Hey, Quinn?"

"Yes, Tate?" Quinn's eyes met mine, darting between them as he searched for an answer.

I couldn't help but focus on what Luke had mentioned just hours before. "I hope me being here isn't weird."

Quinn pulled his brows together as he shrugged, standing up straight now. "Why would it be? You're Luke's best friend."

His words were the equivalent to being stabbed in the chest. After all, that's all I was to him. His little brother's best friend.

"Yeah." I forced myself to smile. "See you later."

I darted out quickly, shutting the door rather angry as I marched back to my room, letting the door shut as I groaned softly.

In that moment, I knew whatever I did, it had to be ignoring Quinn. For my own sanity.

By the time night fell, I was changed into the solid red one piece. Swimming at night was simply unmatched.