The Missing Linck

• FIVE •

"Hey Mom, Dad." Reid tells the couple standing outside the door who look a lot like a certain person's parents.

"Hey Reid!" the black-haired woman says, her grey eyes shining. Stepping back, she notices me and asks, "And who is this pretty girl?"

"This is Quintasha, Tasha for short; Tasha, these are my parents."

"Hey, um..." I say, unsure of what to call them. I can't say, "Hey Reid's Mom and Dad."

"That's okay." Reid's dad says.

What is with this family and saying 'That's okay'?

We go back into the house and settle down in the living room.

"Tash- can I call you Quin?" Reid's mom says.

"Sure."

"So, Quin, might I know you from somewhere?"

"Mom, remember Mr. Linck?"

"Oh, the Mr. Linck who got transferred here recently, right?" Reid's dad says.

"Oh, and weren't his wife and daughter to move in?" she continues.

"Yes, this is his daughter." Reid replies.

"Oh, Quin, nice to meet you!" his dad says.

"Well, you don't look much like your dad, so I guess I've got to meet your mom," his mom says.

"In case you're wondering, this is a small town, so news goes around pretty fast," Reid tells me.

"Oh, okay." That solved the mystery.

After some more pleasant small talk, Reid's mom asks me the same question Quen did- what I do here. When I tell her, she offers to let me plan an upcoming party in their house.

"Mom."

"What, Reid? I don't think she objects! Do you, Quin?"

"Absolutely not. I did plan some parties back in Tex. I also co-planned a wedding, so I do have experience, if that's what you're looking for," I gush.

"You'd do perfect if this was an interview," Reid tells me.

"And, for all purposes, this is. So you're hired," Reid's mom tells me, to which I thank her.

"You just need to give me some details, like what type of decorations you want, any specific theme, catering, you know, all that jazz; and you'll have the party of your dreams!" I say.

"Professional much?" Reid tells me, a smile playing on the edges of his lips.

"Can't help it."

I can't help smiling either.

After we talk some more, I smell something burning.

"Um, Reid, weren't you cooking something?" I say.

"Oh shoot!" Reid realises this and runs to the kitchen, his mom and I on his heels. The fire alarm's blaring and the kitchen is a huge wet mess in an instant by his mom trying unsuccessfully to carry water to the stove.

Reid stands and stares at the still-burning pan, his eyes wide. Seeing that he isn't going to do anything to put it out, I decide to step in. Switching off the stove, I pick up the pan by a non-burning part and drop into the sink, turning the tap on full force. Nearly half a minute later, the fire dies out.

I turn off the faucet and turn around, heaving a sigh of relief. Reid is still standing there with disbelief writ large on his face and his mom's smiling at me.

"Well, now we know the party won't be a disaster 'cause you can handle whatever's thrown at you!" she tells me.

"I just got lucky with that, you know," I admit.

"That's okay!" she exclaims.

Again, what's with the 'that's okay'? Well, everyone's got their own quirks, so I probably oughtn't to question theirs...

"Well, great job!" Reid tells me and I, stupidly, blush. I get that Reid is some eye-candy, but I don't get why I'm blushing so much!

"Um, thank you?" I ask more than say, making Reid laugh.

"Well, now that that's done, why don't you two go pick up something to eat?" Reid's mom tells us, and I nod.

"Okay," Reid says and we're about to step out when I realise my clothes are wet. And so are Reid's.

"Um, Reid?"

He turns around seems to notice what I mean when I point to my clothes.

"I'll have Quen loan you some clothes, but you bought them outside," he whispers in my ear and I agree. Reid runs up to his room and quickly changes his clothes.

Stepping outside, we walk ahead as if to reach the main town-area, but Reid drags me off the road half-way through, when we're out of sight of the huge bungalow.

Minutes later, we wind up outside a decrepit-looking building.

"Quenna? It's Tashar and Reid." he says in a considerably loud voice, his accent drawling my name out into Tashar. Honestly, I like that nickname!

A tree's leaves rustle as someone steps out. A someone with messy dirty blonde locks, scarlet eyes and puffy cheeks.

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This story is going places!

'Nyways, yup, Reid's parents and Tasha's parents look similar...

I'll try to update as soon as I can...

Thank you for reading!

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