MIRRORBALL ; QUINN HUGHES

Six

is that the way we stand?
were you lying all the time?
was it just a game to you?
but i'm in so deep.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ the cranberries

TATE

THERE TRULY was no better feeling than a late night swim. I could swim in circles without getting tired of it, the light breeze but most of all; the feeling of peace.

I smoothed my hands over the top of my head, resurfacing as I took a deep breath. I floated, my back sinking into the water as the silence around me grew.

"I can't believe you still swim at night." Quinn stared at me intently, his feet dipped in the water. "You've done that since you were a kid."

I moved to stand in the shallow end, blinking as I shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. I don't know, I just like it."

Quinn rolled his lips into his mouth, something bothering him. "Tate, I'm really sorry about today. I didn't...."

"I already said it was fine, Quinn." I glanced down at the ripples in the small waves, wanting to look anywhere but at him.

"Yeah, it's not." Quinn ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "You sure you don't hate me?"

I chuckled lightly, running my eyes down his frame as the ghost of a smile was on his lips. "I could never hate you, Q. It was an accident."

Something flickered in his eyes making me believe other wise but he covered it quickly with a short nod. "Can I join you? It's hot out here."

I swallowed. I loved a swim to myself but no matter what, I could never say no to him. "The water feels great."

Quinn tore off his shirt, his swim trunks already clutching to his skin as he hopped in, disappearing under the water.

I tried to follow his silhouette but the only light was dim, coming from under the water.

His head poked up as he floated across from me, leaning an elbow on the edge of the pool to stay afloat, I mirrored his actions.

"So, how is your summer?" I asked, attempting to make conversation.

"It's going." Quinn said flatly, barely giving me a response. "And yours? Happy you came to the lake house?"

I bit my bottom lip, tapping my fingertips along the cement. "For sure. It's much better than rotting away at home."

"The lake house is the best." Quinn hummed. "I look forward to coming here all year."

Being this casual with Quinn was surely going to the death of me. My heart was pounding in my chest from our simple interaction, I was humiliating.

"You okay?" Quinn asked, cocking a brow.

I shook my head, trying to get every thought of Quinn out as I plastered on a small smile. "What? Yeah, I'm good."

"You do that a lot, you know?" Quinn's eyes were equally as hypnotic as pocket watch. I found myself growing deeper and deeper into the state of consciousness.