MIRRORBALL ; QUINN HUGHES

Eleven

i don't relate to you
i don't relate to you, no

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚happier than ever ; billie eilish

TATE

"HOW WAS your date?" The menacing voice echoed through the kitchen as I froze halfway in the process of leaving the room.

I turned to look over my shoulder, glaring at the older boy. I stepped towards him, our bodies separated by the marble island. "What is wrong with you, Quinn?"

He cocked a brow, an innocent look crawling across his features. "Why are you so angry? Did it not go well?"

"Seriously?" I chuckled in disbelief, narrowing my eyes at him. "Why do you feel the need to include yourself in everything?"

"Ouch, Tate." Quinn seemed unbothered, a trait that I had gotten used to. "How did I include myself this time?"

I flickered my dark eyes between his, seeing the red lacing in his sclera. He had been drinking, the stench of beer formulating around us.

"You made food for Luca and I?" I reminded him. "Or unless there's another Quinn running around here. You tell me."

"What do you want me to say?" Classic.

I huffed, shaking my head as began to walk away. His large, cold hand grasping my fingers kept me from leaving.

"Wait." He darted his tongue out to swipe his lower lip, his hand retreating back to his side as I stayed still. "I was just doing a nice thing, Tate. He asked me, okay? What was I supposed to say?"

"Why?" I faced him fully. "Why do you always have to be involved? It's like everything I do, you're always lingering. You don't get it!"

The corners of his lips turned towards the ground, a sudden change between us. The air felt like it was growing dense, like I was clawing for oxygen.

"What happened?" Quinn asked. "On the date."

I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to relive myself of the awkwardness flowing through my body. "I...I fucked up."

"How?" Quinn pushed, running his green eyes over my face, seeing the uneasiness. "Tate."

"I don't know." I grunted, angry with myself. "I wasn't thinking, it was too much. He told me he liked me and I just panicked."

Quinn furrowed his brows, a line appearing on his forehead. "How did you panic?"

"I agreed to try and make things work between us." I swallowed, my throat dry. "I think. I don't know, I panicked. I didn't want to hurt him."

Quinn blinked, a flash of hurt going through his gaze. "Is it true? Do you like him, Tate?"

"No." I muttered, looking down at the kitchen tile as I crumbled underneath his stare.

He took a step closer to me, the scent of his musk wrapping around me like a warm hug. His body heat reflecting and suddenly I was sweating.

I glanced up, holding my breath.

"He's good for you, Tate." Quinn cooed. The line between sarcasm and truth blurred when it came to his tone.

"Really?" I cocked a brow, simply not believing him.

"Why didn't you just tell him the truth?" Quinn never let his stare falter, like he was waiting for me to slip up.

I shifted, my knees feeling weak. "The truth? What is the truth, Quinn?"

"Why don't you tell me." Quinn shrugged, pushing his bottom lip out slightly. I felt like a dog getting a treat waved in their face. Quinn knew the truth, he just wanted me to say it.

"Quinn." I whispered, gulping as my chest heaved.

"Tate." Quinn mocked slightly, his forearms hitting my elbows. "What is the truth?"

I could feel my insides turning, growing with annoyance as he toyed with me. "Grow up, Quinn."

"You first." Quinn shot back, biting his bottom lip with amusement. "If you're so grown, then you wouldn't be so scared to say what's on your mind."

"What was I supposed to say, Quinn?" I chuckled, running a frustrated hand through my dark hair. "Hey, sorry, I can't start anything with you because I've been in love with someone else for years."

I could feel the tears building in my eyes as I glared at him, the way that Quinn could build me up, just to watch me come crashing down. The control he had over me was sickening.

"Tate." Quinn reached for me. I pulled back, my fists at my side.

"Isn't that what you wanted, Quinn?" I barked, letting a dry laugh leave my lips. "Does that make you feel good about yourself?"

Quinn grabbed the back of my neck gently, cocking my head up. My fingers wrapped around his wrist as I gasped lowly.

"You shouldn't feel that way about me, Tate." Quinn shook his head, running his rough thumb along my jaw.

"Well, I do." I pressed my lips together.

"I'll break your heart." Quinn warned, shaking his head as it seemed to physically pain him. His free hand came to cradle my other cheek, holding me gently.

I shrugged, holding both of his wrists, desperate to keep his cold touch against me. "That's a chance I'm willing to take."

"I love my brother, Tate." Quinn gestured towards the youngest Hughes. "And I know you do, too. We both know it will destroy him."

Since I met Quinn and Jack for that matter, they were both named off limits. The threatening looks from Luke stuck for years, now, I have just gotten better at sneaking looks at Quinn.

But to imagine loosing Luke hurt me in every possible way. No matter what I did, I was at a risk.

"But what about what we want." I croaked, feeling the pad of Quinn's thumb beneath my eye, wiping my fallen tears.

"We can't just think about ourselves here, T." Quinn  scrunched his nose, exhaling deeply. "I've thought about it, trust me I have."

Quinn and I were destined for tragedy when I laid eyes on him. I knew it would destroy us both, in the end.

"Stop waiting for me." Quinn tucked my hair behind my ears. "I won't come around. Goodnight, Tate."

He stepped around me, my body shaking as I leaned over the island, a muffled sob leaving my lips. I had a hole in my heart that perfectly shaped Quinn.

crying