The Calling Of Quinn Taylor

Chapter One

Maeve. Maeve Kingston-- the girl who has stunned the entirety of my high-school. Not only with her looks, but with her personality. Every Time I saw her in the halls, she was smiling. No one can forget the liveliness she brought everywhere she went. Yet somehow, she’s the reason why our principle warns everyone to drive safely when his voice sounds on the intercom. What he doesn’t know is that it wasn’t a matter of reckless driving. 
It was a matter of manslaughter. 
Even if not a single soul will believe me, I'm determined. I will find who did this and they will get what they deserve. 

Prom Night-- Several Days Ago
    Prom, boys, parties… they’ve never really been up my alley. My best friend, Keller, and I usually stay by ourselves and gossip about the latest news. Like last week-- Jessie McFall, lacrosse captain, got Jacqueline Melville knocked up and that’s why she dropped out… even if he is dating Mia Gulinski. Thanks to Keller, I’m constantly informed. 
    Yet here I am, defying the laws of my own culture-- Prom. 
    Keller Avery, of course, is my date. He’s wearing a blue tux with a grey tie draping from his collar, whereas I’m wearing a knee length, unspectacular, baby blue dress. My hair has been curled so that now it only reaches the corners of my mouth. When it’s straight, it barely goes past my chin. 
    “Oh my God,” Keller whispers, taking a drink of his punch. I look up at him, trying to follow his grey eyes to whatever he’s caught on. “She’s stunning.”
    I see her-- the girl he’s been obsessed with since last October, when he first spoke to her. She’s wearing an emerald green ball gown that shines under the fluorescent disco ball and L.E.D lights wrapped around the poles holding the building up. Her chocolate hair sits in ringlets that rest on her shoulders and her dark skin shines with the black lipstick coating her lips. She 
leans against the drink station, talking to a boy just inches in front of her as her friend pours alcohol into her cup, eyeing around.  
    Maeve Kingston. 
    “Go talk to her,” I say. 
    “Quinn,” he says, standing in front of me. “Are you insane? She’ll never-”
    “Go!” I interrupt, not taking my eyes off her. She stares into her cup, unsatisfied with nor  the booming music or the dude trying desperately to hit on her. “She clearly doesn’t want a jock… she needs someone like you.”
He smiles, showing his pearly-white teeth. When I look at him-- really look at him, I see that any girl would be lucky to have him. His hair is this golden shade of blonde that corresponds with his ivory skin and his grey eyes gleam with this radiant type of joy; I’ve never seen anyone with eyes like his. 
“You really think so?” he asks. He smiles even wider, looking back and forth between Maeve and I. 
I place my hands on his shoulders and stare directly into his eyes before saying,
“I know so,” and he gives one last happy dance before strutting on over to his love.
I watch him make a move, catching her attention. She laughs, offering him a drink and he accepts it. It’s not too long before a slow song switches on and he holds out his hand, allowing her to take it. When their hands clasp, it’s my cue to leave. 
Looking down, I make my way to the closest table. The lights are dim, so maybe… no one will see me? Who am I kidding-- I’m a loner. I’ve never had a boyfriend, never had another real friend besides Keller. All I’ve ever known is this life. I’ve never even been to a party. 
I sit down by myself, accepting the fact that the entire school will see my lonesome self. I always pretend like I don’t care… but maybe it would be better to be someone like Maeve… maybe it’d be easier. 
“Your date ditch you too?” a somewhat familiar voice echoes from behind me. Wesley… Wesley Kingston-- Maeve’s older brother. He sits down beside me, forcing me to bring my head up. 
    What is he doing? He’s the lacrosse goalkeeper. People like him don’t associate with outsiders like me. He has so many friends-- he’s the epitome of a perfect son. 
    “For your sister,” I say, forcing a laugh. 
    “Maeve?” he says, snorting. “She’s got boys lined up... pretty annoying, actually. Don’t know why she’d take yours-- that nerdy blonde boy, right?”
    I’m taken by surprise. I never thought people would think Keller and I are a thing. I mean, we’re always together and stuff, but I’m constantly helping him with girls. He’s completely and utterly helpless.
“What? No! Keller and I are just friends… he’s head over heels for your sister.” 
    This is the first time I’ve really talked to Wesley besides saying sorry for running into him in the halls. We were lab partners sometime last month. Surprisingly, he did over half the work. 
    It’s also the first time I’ve been able to actually see him. He looks completely different from Maeve. It’s pretty evident that at least one of them is adopted or have at least one different parent. Maeve’s skin is a dark brown, whereas Wesley’s is an almond shade and his ashy brown hair swoops across his forehead. He smirks, perking one side of his lips up. 
    “Who uh… who ditched someone like you?” 
    He grins, looking into the crowd of slow-dancing people. In the midst of the dancers, someone pokes out. She’s throwing her arms out, rapidly turning in circles. The boy next to her does the same thing, following her lead. 
    “That,” he says, pointing his head towards the outgoing couple. “Is my cousin-- and my date… I didn’t really have much of a choice.” 
    We both laugh, enjoying the scene laying out in front of us. 
    “Hey,” he says as the music morphes from slow to some MDM music. “It’s Quinn, right?” 
    “You got it,” I say, uncontrollably smiling. I haven’t felt like this since I was crushing on a dork named Matt Green in seventh grade.
            Why me? I’m nobody. Why choose me?
    “My friend’s having a party after all this,” he says, placing his hand on my shoulder. His hand trails down my arm, sending tingles down my spine. “You should come.” My stomach flutters, watching his hand finally reach mine. “I think I wanna’ get to know you.”
    I swallow a lump in my throat as my eyes stare deeply into his. Just minutes ago, his name never glimpsed through my head… ever. Now, I feel like this. How can someone manage to do this? It’s a superpower. 
    “Okay,” is all I can manage before Keller’s shadow lingers over me.
    “I’ll get going,” Wesley says. “See you later.” And with that, he’s gone. 
    I turn around, seeing Keller’s stunned eyes. He’s in awe with his mouth hung open. 
    “I got invited to a party,” I say, just as he says the exact same thing. 
***
    We’re in the basement of Jessie McFall’s house. I’ve always seen this house on my way to school and back, but never thought I’d be one of the cars parked in his driveway on a Saturday night. 
    Wesley used the term, party, heavily. This “party” consists of twelve people-- a few boys from the lacrosse team, their girlfriends, Maeve and some of her friends, and Wesley. 
    I’m not complaining. I’m relieved that it's not one of those I-can-barely-move parties. I don’t plan on going to one of those-- ever. 
    Brandon’s basement has a loveseat, two recliners, a T.V, a pool table, and another room with a closed door. 
    “Hey!” Wesley yells. “Look who made it!” 
    Suddenly, I fall self-conscious. Maybe I should’ve worn something better than leggings and an oversized t-shirt. Maybe going for the, “I’m not trying hard” look wasn’t the best idea. 
    My olive skin only has a dab of concealer covering a newly-found pimple and my hazel eyes are brought out with mascara. It’s still more than I wear on a daily basis. 
    I continue down the stairs, looking at Keller for much needed permission. 
    “Quinn,” Maeve bleams.
    What.
    This is the strangest night of my life. I literally have spoken to two people in this basement and Maeve is not one of them. 
    “There’s the valedictorian!” she exclaims. Everyone cheers, holding up their beer bottles. 
    Oh. I’m known as the smart girl-- the one that never goes out. That’s why I’m known. Here I was, thinking it was some validation everyone suddenly thought I deserved. 
    Maeve turns back around and focuses her attention on her two best friends-- Riley Anderson and Mia Gulinski. It’s known around the entire school that they’re the dynamic trio.
    I find Wesley and my eyes lock on his. He’s doing that perfect half-smile smirk. 
    “Hey Keller,” Maeve says as she turns back around, immediately drawing him in. He races towards her, sitting in the empty spot that forces him to touch the bare skin her shorts expose. 
    Everyone emerges back into conversation with the radio playing in the background. 
    “I’m glad you’re here,” Wesley says, getting up. His friends look at each other, raising eyebrows. “Can I talk to you?” 
    He takes my hand, pulling me aside.
            I guess that’s a yes then. 
            He leads me to the pool table with walls narrowing in that hides us from view, where our conversation is not to be heard.
    “Why haven’t I ever talked to you before?” he asks, seeming disappointed in himself. He sulks, with his eyebrows lowering. “I just… I feel like there’s something between us, even if it’s just tonight. Even if this is the only night I’ve ever heard your name. There’s just… there’s something about you.” 
    What. On. Earth. This can not be happening. This guy is perfect! This has to be fake. It’s a prank-- someone’s about to pop out of a door with a camera. 
    “I’m no one,” I whisper. “Why me?” I shy away into the corner of the wall, wanting to just fade away. He doesn’t really like me, right? He can’t.
    “I don’t know, Quinn. There’s just something between us.”
    For a moment, I stand there frozen as he moves a strand of hair away from my face.
    I shut my eyes, opening them to expect my bedroom ceiling. I’ll wake up and it’ll all be a dream. 
    Still, there’s that feeling in my stomach that makes my heart flutter. 
    “Can I kiss you?” he asks, making me completely freeze. 
            Yes! A hundred times, yes!
            Kiss me. Please. 
    I can’t speak. Everything is simply unreal right now. Prom… a night to remember, right? Let’s make this damned memorable. 
    I place my hands behind his neck and pull him in close, letting my lips touch his. 
    I’ve never kissed anyone before-- he’s my first. 
    It feels so right as his hands wrap around my waist, pulling me closer. 
    My heart pounds and my face burns with sensation. My insides feel as if they’re about to explode with happiness. This is perfection. I want to be with him forever. 
    I don’t want this night to end.