Dedicated to @aleisha-brooke. Because her comments made me smile.
Disclaimer: All That Is Gold is definitely not mine (no matter how much I wish it was, haha) and hence I also do not own the character of Quinn.
"I can't do this anymore"
Quinn immediately stopped her babbling. "You can't do what anymore?"
Carter ran a hand through his blond hair, a sure sign that he was agitated. He released a deep breath and looked straight into Quinn's eyes.
"You can't keep pulling me away from every girl I show the slightest interest in. I can't put up with this...this going around circles thing with you. I can't and I won't."
Quinn opened her mouth to defend herself. To utter lies that they both knew weren't true. To say that she had dragged him away from his conversation with that sophomore for a reason. To say that that reason hadn't been the fact that an untamable vortex of emotions rose within her whenever she saw Carter with another girl. To say that she didn't care about him. Before she could though, Carter held up a hand.
"You know how I feel about you, Quinn. You know that I'll always choose you. But knowing and using that knowledge against me are two very different things. And I need you to stop."
Quinn could feel herself burning in shame and humiliation. Hating herself for acting this way, and hating Carter for calling her out on it. She tried converting it all to anger. Because anger could be released, but this...this self-loathing would remain inside and eat away at her soul. "So what are you saying? You love me, but you'll still screw other girls?"
Carter glared at her. "As opposed to what? Just sit and wait around for the day you decide that I'm worth your time of day?"
Quinn could feel her blood heating with every word. "You are worth my time of day!"
"Then explain to me what the heck you meant when you said that being with me would only involve pain!"
"Don't you see?" Quinn was full on shouting now, uncaring of their peers passing through the area. "You're...you're Carter! How do you expect me to live with that?"
Those green eyes turned so dark that they were almost grey. An ugly sneer formed on Carter's face. "You're really proving your point, Barton."
She almost flinched at that name. Calling her 'Barton' meant that Carter was truly angry, was really ending 'this', whatever this was. It'd been Serena, always Serena. Maybe Quinn in one of his rarely serious moments, but Barton...
Never Barton.
Quinn felt like pulling her hair out in frustration. "I didn't mean it that way. You don't understand! I need someone who is normal. Ordinary. Plain. Not...not so gorgeous he can pluck at every girl's heartstrings. Not so powerful that the bloody Queen of England would show up at his beckoning. Not Carter. Not another Carter." Her voice had diminished to a mere whisper by the end of her speech.
Because it was then that she'd realised. Sure, Carter Wayne played around with girls, but he'd always made sure that they knew it was never going to last. And he had no reason to lie when he'd put everything on the line: his pride, his heart, when he'd furiously declared his love for Quinn. Carter Wayne didn't deceive like Carter Dupont had.
Sure, Carter Wayne was from an affluent family wealthier than the U.S. Treasury, but he never showcased that. Quite the opposite. He'd worked his arse off not only to get into Harvard, but on scholarship. His family's name be damned. He worked at a pet shop despite the fact a year of his earnings were less than the interest his trust fund collated on an hourly basis. And he never, ever threw extravagant parties, or, Quinn thought bitterly, Discovery Weekends, to showcase his money or status.
No. If it were up to him, Carter Wayne would be...normal. But never plain. Never ordinary. That was like asking a peacock to fit in amongst a gaggle of geese. It simply wasn't possible. Because Carter Julian Wayne was one-of-a-kind. Someone Dupont could never, ever measure up against, that no one could ever measure up against.
And that was when Quinn knew.
No matter how long she'd denied it, how vehemently she'd denied it...
She was in love with Carter Wayne.
...
"So let me get this straight." Amelia said, eyes narrowed. "You guys fought, you somehow had this massive epiphany and realised that he's nothing like that asshole back in your hometown and hence declared your undying love, and now you guys are together?"
"Yes."
A smirk stretched across her best friend's face. "Two things. One, I told you so. And two, why exactly did that take," Amelia's gaze flickered to her TagHeuer "four hours and twenty two minutes to explain?"
Quinn frowned. Did she say best friend? She meant most annoying friend.
Before she could retort something equally snarky, Amelia flopped down on her bed, flailing her arms and kicking her legs whilst screeching at the top of her lungs. "Yes! My OTP has finally sailed! I'm so happy! So happy! Oh, Goddess of Nutella, I thank you for listening to my prayers. Amen."
Quinn could only sit beside her friend and try her best to hide her amusement. Top of their class, captain of their Ivy League's dance team and owner of a metaphorical jar of hearts. Here she was. Amelia Zhang. Having a seizure whilst talking about 'OTP's (whatever those were) and praying to the deity of...Nutella?
Quinn was torn between feeling the epitome of blessed or admitting herself to the nearest psychiatric ward. Admitting both of them to the nearest psychiatric ward, now that she thought about it.
A knock interrupted her from her musings, and Quinn stood and opened the door, wondering why any of their sisters would be seeking her out at two in the morning.
She was startled when she was met with a pair of emerald orbs that shone with prominence despite the darkness.
"What are you doing here?" Quinn whisper-screamed.
The corners of those gorgeous eyes wrinkled ever-so slightly. "I believe that I'm the better versed in law between the two of us. And I don't ever recall there being legislation passed against one seeing their girlfriend."
Quinn was unable to respond, as hearing him refer to her as his girlfriend set her heart to an erratic beat. Luckily, Amelia intervened, shoving Quinn aside. "Hi boyfriend, I'm your girlfriend's best friend. And said best friend totally ships the two of you. So, said best friend is going to push said girlfriend out of the room so said girlfriend can hangout with said boyfriend. And said best friend just totally beat the world record of how many times one can say 'friend' in one sentence." Amelia turned to Quinn, and shooting her a wide grin, shoved Quinn so hard, that if it were not for Carter, Quinn would've landed splat on her face. "Bye, said girlfriend." And with that, Quinn found herself locked out. Of her own room.
Carter's shoulders were shaking with silent laughter as Quinn sighed and slung both arms around his neck. "Hi girlfriend," he murmured.
This time, Quinn couldn't contain her smile. The two people closest to her were downright weirdos, and as she joined her lips to Carter's, she realised she really wouldn't have it any other way.
Don't forget to vote/comment! Once again, it is YOU lovelies who inspire and motivate me to write about Quinn and Carter. You guys are absolutely phenomenal. Also, thoughts on Amelia? Like? Dislike? (C'mon who could not like that girl?).
Until next time!
