MIRRORBALL ; QUINN HUGHES

Ten

i can't lie to it the same way i lie to you

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚scared of my guitar ; olivia rodrigo

TATE

I DON'T know what my exact thought process was when I agreed to accompany Luca on a casual date. The corse of feelings was jumbled up in my stomach and I needed to flip the switch off.

But now it was back on. I was panicking, running my hands over the sundress as I stood on the front porch, staring out at the driveway.

"You look beautiful, Tate." Luca startled me as he stood beside me, running his brown eyes up and down my body.

"Thanks, Luca." I smiled softly, faltering under his sharp stare. "Uh, shall we get going?"

Luca nodded, holding his hand out for me to take. Our hands intertwined as he led us towards the lake. The sun was basking us both, a slight wind keeping us from feeling sticky.

I gasped lowly, staring wide-eyed at the makeshift picnic. I glanced towards a nervous Luca.

"I hope you like it." Luca scratched the back of his neck. "I know you're not much of a date girl so I did something small. Well, Luke helped too."

I smiled, biting my bottom lip as my stomach did flips. It was one of the nicest things a guy had done for me. I swallowed the pit of guilt that screamed Quinn Hughes as we approached the checkered blanket.

"What's on the menu?" I sat, tucking my legs underneath me as I observed the basket.

"Ham and cheese sandwiches." Luca hummed, revealing the wrapped food as he handed me one. "And chocolate covered strawberries for dessert."

My eyes lit up at the sight of the sweet fruit, my mouth nearly watering. "My favorite! This is amazing, Luca."

"Oh, all compliments to the chef." Luca waved his hand, chuckling lightly.

"Are you the chef?" I asked, cocking a brow as I undid the foil, savoring the sandwich.

Luca shook his head, opening a bottle of champagne as he filled both of our glasses. "I wish I was. Quinn helped cook everything."

I paused, my eyes flickering up to Luca. I felt like a deer in headlights. After practically cursing Quinn out and saying things I knew weren't true, I was shocked to see Quinn actually doing something nice for me.

"Oh." Was all I could say.

I took a bite of the sandwich, relishing on the taste of the simple food. We ate our main course in silence, a comfortable silence. The small waves of the lake and the birds chirping around us were enough to prevent awkwardness.

"I'm really happy you agreed to go on this date." Luca beamed towards me. "Even if it's just fifty feet from the house."

I chuckled, wiping the corners of my mouth. "I'm a simple girl anyway. This is perfect, truly."

"I'm glad." Luca nodded. "I, uh, I wanted to talk to you about something."

My palms grew clammy as I blinked, staring at him with anticipation. It was always 50/50 when a conversation stared like this.

"I'm not super good with words." Luca paused, running a hand through his tussled locks. "Like, at all. But ever since I met you Tate, it's like, I feel things I never felt before."

I heaved, my chest rising and falling as my heart beat grew rapidly. I stayed silent.

"I've always had a thing for you. I was never good at hiding it." Luca cracked a small smile. "But I don't want to act like there's nothing between us. It's a lot, I know."

I was at a loss for words, stricken you might say.

"I know you don't really date." Luca continued. "But I need to get this off my chest, Tate. I like you, a lot. I don't want to keep ignoring my feelings."

I shifted, tucking my hair behind my ears as I tightened my jaw.

"You're not saying anything." Luca had a slight panic in his tone, a small whimper leaving his lips. "Oh, God."

"Luca." I finally spoke, my mouth dry. "This is just a lot of me, okay? I...I'm not the best with words either. But I need to think."

Luca furrowed his brows. "Is there someone else?"

"What?" I blinked. It felt like he was reading my mind. That, or I was simply made out of glass that had the initials Q carved into it.

"Is there someone else?" Luca repeated. "You're never truly into it. I mean, with any guy I've seen you around."

Shame. That's what I felt. I lowered my head slightly, knowing that he was right.

"It's complicated, Luca." I swallowed, my voice shaking. "Trust me, I think you'd be perfect for me. You're sweet and seem to be all for me."

"I am." Luca nodded like a madman. It made me nauseous. "I really am, Tate. It's just you."

I couldn't even smile. "Yeah, I know. I'm not saying no. I just need to think, Luca."

"Yeah, totally." Luca nodded once again, seeming to be happy with my answer. "That's better than rejection, I guess."

"Yeah." I tilted my head slightly, opting on eating a strawberry then continuing our short lived conversation.

Fuck, Tate.

uh ohh