Finding Myself

9: Quinn

After class I quickly text my mom asking if I can have a friend sleep over on Friday and luckily she says it's okay.

I'm so excited to have Riley over. I can get to know her more without anyone else around.

However, I'm also insanely nervous. How the fuck am I supposed to sleep in the same room as her? I'll just be freaking out the entire time that my crush is in my room with me alone. Obviously I know that nothing is going to happen between us, but I can't help but dream.

Dream about wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her close to me so that I can kiss her passionately.

Suddenly the bell rings, taking me out of my thoughts and I rush to my next class.

I'm having such a hard time focusing on any of the lectures because my mind keeps wandering to Riley and making up stupid romantic scenarios with her. I need to stop this. I can't keep reinforcing this crush. She's just my friend. That's all she will ever be. Maybe if I repeat that enough times I'll start believing it soon. Hopefully.

I finally get through all my classes and quickly change to my uniform so I can head to practice. Still, Riley is the only thing on my mind on the way there. So, when I spot her sitting in the bleachers I immediately head in her direction. I don't care if I'm slightly late to starting practice, I just want to say hello to Riley and tell her the sleepover plans are on.

"Hey, Ry," I blurt out. Oh god, what did I just do! Why did I randomly give her a nickname suddenly!?!

Riley tilts her head and looks at me weirdly for a few seconds before responding, "Hey, Q." I never thought hearing someone say Q could be so cute before, but damn was I wrong.

I stand there in shock and Riley giggles before adding, "What's up."

I try to shake away my embarrasment and respond with, "I have amazing news! My mom okayed the sleepover! So. We better start making plans since tomorrow is Friday."

"Oh okay," she replies.

"What's wrong, you look shocked at the sleepover now? Remember you wanted to try it in the first place," I respond.

"I'm just surprised that it's actually going to happen. I've always wanted to experience it and now I finally will," she explains.

"Hey, that's my job as your friend, Riley. To stand by your side as you do things that you always wanted to do. Except for illegal shit, that's a hard pass for me."

Rilet chuckles before repsonding, "Aww come on, Q. You're my partner in crime now. You have to be my lookout as I do some crazy shit."

"Oh god no, what have you done to my sweet friend. Are you an alien or something else? Or has a ghost possessed you to do illegal stuff," I tease back.

"Maybe," she shrugs. I look at her in disbelief and playful shove her before we both start laughing. I love how light hearted she can be and the fact that she plays along with me.

"Aww look at you guys acting like sisters," Mason interrupts out of nowhere. He goes around me so that he can sit next to Riley which bugs the hell out of me.

Riley and I look at each other before she turns back to Mason and sarcastically replies, "Sure, because we look so alike, Mason."

"We are actually partners in crime. We are the ying to the yang to eachother," I proudly add.

"So, like Bonnie and Clyde?" Mason comments.

"Exactly, but girl versions," Riley replies and I give her a high five.

"So, what are you guys going to do? Murder people? Some plan," Mason teases us.

"Obviously we won't start there. We'll ding dong ditch first," Riley explains.

"Riley, you would try to run and fall on your ass the next second," Mason replies.

"That's a possibility, but her partner in crime will pick her up and carry her away to safety," I add.

"See, our plans are fool proof," Riley continues.

"Suuuuuurrrrreee," Mason says.

"Keep up the lack of faith and you won't be invited inside my home anymore," Riley tells him. I love that thought. I hope Mason keeps this up.

"Okay, I give," Mason immediately replies making me dislike him more. Damn you Mason.

"Shouldn't you be down there practicing on the field with your team?" Mason asks me.

"Shouldn't you be doing the same," I counter.

"How about both of you leave me alone so that I can do some homework, so that I'm totally free for tomorrow," Riley interrupts.

"What's tomorrow?" Mason asks.

"I'm sleeping over at Quinn's house," she replies.

"How come you didnt tell me earlier? You always tell me everything," Mason adds.

"I just found out that it's okay I come over to her house, Mason," she counters. I feel awkward being next to them when they are having this conversation, but I don't dare make a move to leave.

"Oh okay. So, does this mean you're going to the party? You never gave us an answer earlier," he asks.

"Yeah I'm going," she admits making Mason and I smile widely at that news.

Then Riley changes the topic back to the sleepover and asks, "Am I supposed to bring anything in particular for tomorrow, Quinn? Like I know I must bring clothes and like my tooth brush, but like what else? I don't exactly know how sleepovers work." I notice Mason looking bored and he leans back to relax.

"You don't need to bring anything. Don't worry, Riley. I'll have everything covered. I'll make sure it's the first and best sleepover you ever have. Just leave it up to me."

I just want this to be a memorable moment for Riley since it will be her first sleepover. I want her to have a fun time. So, I'll do anything to see a smile on her face tomorrow.

"Okay. I'm so excited," she squeaks adorably.

"Also, my mom said you can just come home with me after school if you want," I suggest. I can tell Mason doesn't enjoy this idea by the sour look on his face, but he doesn't say anything.

"Yeah, that actually sounds like an awesome idea!" Riley replies. Then she turns to Mason and says, "Sorry, Mason. This all happened last minute, I hope you understand for me not going home with you tomorrow "

It bothers me so much to watch her apologize to Mason. It's not like she's doing anything bad. So what, she's just not getting a ride with him tomorrow, what's the big deal?

Mason smiles and replies with, "it's okay babe. Have fun tomorrow. And I should probably go to practice now or I'll be running laps the whole time." He gives her a quick peck before getting up and leaving.

I don't know what to think about their relationship, honestly. One moment I'm hating Mason for always deciding for her and being whiny, but the next he seems like he cares about her a lot.

And Riley seems to be okay with doing whatever he wants. It's like she's codependent and doesn't know what she wants to do if he isn't there.

I'm determined to help Riley break away from him so that she can at least make her own decisions when she is with him. I don't want Riley to be silent and overly accepting in her relationship.

I think she deserves more. She deserves to make her own choices and speak her mind about how she feels.

I'll make sure to do a practice run on Riley tomorrow. I'll have a few different options in mind for tomorrow and I'll let her chose what she wants to do ultimately.

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Author note: Forgive me for error, I'm writing the chapters on my phone so it's harder to edit.

I'm finally on vacation in Mexico and just enjoying my time off. I also love writing new chapters this constantly. It gets me in the rhythm and prevents writer's block.

Anyway, have a fantastic day everyone!