Luna Loud sat on top of her table with her friends strumming her guitar. Next to her was her girlfriend, Sam Sharp, wearing her rocker blue jacket eating an apple. Enjoying their lunch time more with music rather than food. They could eat in their classes later anyways. Looking across the cafeteria Luna's music suddenly stopped. Sam swished her blonde with a single neon blue stripe hair to the side and looked over to her lover.
"Loud, what's up? Why'd you stop?" The rocker asked. Luna shook her head.
"Oh sorry dude. I just saw my sis with Lincoln's girlfriend and got worried." Luna was still looking off.
"Wait Lincoln's girlfriend is here? Is there an elementary tour or something?"
"Oh crud, forgot to tell you."
"Tell me what?"
"Uhh… look over there." Luna pointed off in the distance.
The blonde rocker looked over the guitar head. In the distance making their way through the isles of tables was a group of five girls. She recognized two of them one being Lori, Luna's sister, and the other as Carol Pingrey, the previous homecoming queen. A red head she had seen around led the pack and was followed behind by two brunettes. One of those two really caught her attention.
In the middle of the girls was a tall and curvy babe with a rocking rack to boot. The amount of cleavage the girl was sporting was crazy. A sweet leather jacket framed her breasts held in a tight yellow tube dress. Her curly hair bobbed with each step and her model like looks caused the girls jaw to drop. When did such a beaut enroll in the school?
"Bah bah bah."
"Snap out of it Sam!" Luna gave her girlfriend a quick high pitched strum on the guitar to the displeasure of those around.
"Whoa. Sorry Loons."
"Yeah well, I can't blame you."
"You don't mean?!"
"Yep. That bombshell is dating Linc." Luna looked back and pointed a thumb towards QT.
"The dudes got serious game. When'd he manage that?"
"Three months ago. Her little sister introduced them"
"How old's her sis?" Sam asked.
"Dude!" Luna pointed to herself.
"Oh sorry, hehe."
"It's fine… I asked the same thing." There was a small silence of between the couple before they both started laughing. "Geez, Linc's girl is such a hottie right?!"
"Seriously. The little guy must have more swagger than Mick."
"No one's got more swagger than Mick." Luna began lightly playing again. "But I got to admit he must be rocking something to bag Quinn."
"You think he'd be interested in a…" Sam swirled her hair with a finger bit her bottom lip.
"What?! Dude! You talking about a threesome with my bro?"
"Well I was thinking about a foursome."
"Geez! Wild as ever babe."
"Ain't that why ya love me?"
"Sure is… sure is." Luna gave the girl a small peck on the lips.
Across the cafeteria Lori, QT, and her friends had found an empty table. It was a long table with single stools attached to the bottom via metal rods. Taking their seats QT, Becky, and Carol sat together on one side while Lori and Dana took the other. They sat on the very edge of the table allowing plenty of space if another group of friends wanted to eat at the other end.
With either trays or packed lunches they began to eat. Silence prevailed for about three minutes. Oddly, QT was the one to start the conversation... but through Dana.
"Quinn wants to know what you wanted to talk about, is what her eyes are saying." Dana narrated for QT. Her eyes were on Lori who shoulders were slumped inward in a shy manner. The blonde in question looked up to the girl's glare.
"I-i just thought-" Becky cut her off.
"We convinced her that having lunch together would be a cool way to get to know each other." The redhead leant in playfully and wiggled her eyebrows. "Anyways, how was Lincoln?"
QT's eyes widened and she began to blush. She turned to refocus on her salad. Her fork quickly stabbed and brought a baby tomato to her mouth.
"Sweet as always," QT looked up to Dana, "Is what her blush is telling me."
"Oh~ that's my white russian." Becky gave her a cheeky grin.
"Your white russian?! You mean my darling!" Dana preformed more dramatically. "Is what her glare is yelling at you."
"Chill honey bee~" Becky swiped her hand flatly in a cutting motion. "There's enough of Lincoln to go around."
"Well what's going around is all mine you hear, Tigress." QT pointed her fork as she spoke.
"And there's that voice of yours." Becky teased. Quinlan froze finally realizing what had just happened. "I heard you in the halls, it'd be much easier to have a conversation if we didn't go through Bunny Ears."
QT looked around to the group. They felt a little bad for her but realized Becky had done it to get the silent beauty talking. The girl just sighed in defeat.
"Fine."
"Cool, anyhoo~ how is dating Lincoln really?" The redhead let go her teasing tone but kept the conversation going. Carol and Dana's ears perked up honestly interested to hear. Lori kept an open mind and hoped her brother was doing right by her.
"H-he's," Quinlan's eyes darted to all the girls making sure she was in a safe place. She didn't feel fully comfortable yet but she needed to try. For Lincoln's sake. "He's amazing." The group gave her a encouraging smile. She returned it while brushing her hair behind her ear.
"He's sweet, chivalrous, and loving. It's like having a personal white knight coming to my rescue everyday."
"Aww~" The trio cooed at her response and patiently waited for more. Lori felt pride knowing her brother was a gentleman even though there was little doubt that he would be.
"He does this thing when he gets embarrassed where he'll shy away but when you offer something he really wants he perks up like a puppy. He's just so darn cute." QT cupped her cheeks and twisted back and forth. This was the first time she had gotten to talk about her boyfriend without barriers. If she did with her friends she'd skirt around it a bit. If it was her sister she'd gag about some of the stuff. This felt so different. It felt so nice.
"I knew he would be." Carol waved a hand forward. "He always seemed like such a gentle soul." QT nodded.
"I love the silly aspect of him like that time at the party when he did his tricks. So adorable." Becky commented.
"And his butt is so cute." The group stopped and looked at Dana. "Uhh, sorry first thing that came to mind." The group shrugged it off.
"When I first met him he gave me a bouquet of roses and later told me that he wanted to give them to the most beautiful woman he's ever seen."
"OMG that is just like I taught him!" This time the table looked to Lori. The girl had become increasingly invested in QT's memory that she got caught up and shouted excitedly. She covered her mouth quickly. "I'm sorry… I just remembered some stuff."
"You taught him to say that?" QT said with a sad tone.
"No!" Lori shook her hands in front of her chest in denial. "From a young, well younger, age us sisters kind of hammered into him that beautiful girls deserve roses. Anything else came from his heart."
Lori saw the smile return to Quinlan stronger than before. What was she doing, Lori thought. Years upon years she had taught her brother how to treat a lady and here he was doing it, and she had blown up at her. QT was looking for a good, honest man and that's just the kind of guy she had helped raise Lincoln to be. Good going Lori. You attempted to throw all those lessons out the window because you didn't like Lincoln's choice in girlfriend. What message was she sending him.
"Quinlan?" Lori brought the teen's attention back to her. "I want to say sorry again. For everything not just the fight, the name calling, or the spying but also for making so many assumptions and not trusting Lincoln." The short hair blonde fought back tears.
"I just was so blinded that I didn't see the love you have for one another, that I. That I. That I-"
"It's okay."
Lori looked up through watery eyes. QT gave her a look of sympathy.
"You were worried about Lincoln, as any sister should be." The girl poked at her salad. "I really am too old for him and you have the right to be scared for him." The fork twirled in her food solemnly.
"I have a Sis the same age as Lincoln and I would have acted the same way if a guy from this high school started dating her. I could have been a pervert, you didn't know…" QT's forked stopped on her plate. "Do you mind if I be completely honest with you?"
Lori shook her head to allow the teen to continue.
"After a few weeks of dating Lincoln I questioned my own motives…"
Quinlan looked over to her little sister, Cristina. The young girl was making sure she hadn't forgot to pack her homework. Finding a distinct piece of paper she turned back to her older sister. The pair sat in the black Impala on the driveway of the Timber home.
"Okay found it. You can go Sis." QT nodded and started her car to proceed to the elementary. Cristina found it strange that her sister had insisted that she dropped her off today but she wasn't going to turn down a free ride.
What the little girl did not know was that sister had an ulterior motive. Worry plagued the teen's mind. She thoroughly enjoyed her time with her young boy wonder but a deep seated guilt was still in her gut. It came down to one thing.
The kissing.
They didn't overly do it but they shared a few here and there. The issue is she desperately enjoyed them. Those sparkly eyes, the sweet taste, and the excitement in it all. It was all too much for her.
And that scared her.
She was not an idiot. Lincoln was young. So young that he could really be considered naive. What a kiss meant to her, might not be the same for him. She was getting hot and bothered while he could see it as just a bit of fun.
This was the first time she felt like she was in love. People told her you'd just know when that feeling hit you but it was all so confusing. The swelling in her heart, a want to be with him, all of it...could also be lust.
QT was scared for him.
Lincoln was an amazing boy: kind, charming, and a bit of a cutie. It's just that, what if she was taking advantage of his inexperience? Were her feeling misinterpretations of some sick sexual preference she had not known of till now? If she was a pedophile then she would need counselling, and more importantly, stay away from Lincoln. She didn't want to break his heart but if she was just a pervert than it would be for his own safety.
That's why she decided to check. She was about to do something really lecherous. QT planned to stick around the parking lot of her sister's elementary school and simply just look at the kids. If she felt anything for any of them like she did Lincoln...well she'd probably just run. Not to someone her sister's age. She couldn't.
The drive to the school was almost done subconsciously as her mind was heavy with the implications of what she was about to do. Her sister looked at her strangely once they got to the school. Instead of just dropping her off, QT found a parking space.
"Sis, you could have just dropped me off near the front." A thumb pointed off to somewhere but Quinlan paid it little attention.
"Oh uh, I need to check something with the car. It's acting up again. You can head in." QT tried to divert Cristina's attention. It worked and Cristina gave a mild grunt before opening the passenger side door. It closed behind her and QT watched as she ran off to greet a friend. The teen released a breath she had not known she was holding. Turning forward she looked onwards.
The parking spot she choose was about ten yards away from the school's main thoroughfare leading to the entrance. Some kids ran inside to get to their lockers before class, others walked slowly already bored by the thought of the lessons they would have to sit through. The driver of the Impala adjusted herself in her seat. Looking out, she felt sickly as she started her observation.
Both boys and girls walked by unaware of the inspection a teenager was giving them off in the distance. QT looked at them through new eyes. Trying to picture dating, kissing, or even… She wanted to throw up. None of these kids deserved this. She felt sick to her stomach. All the kids here were so innocent and cheerful...and she wouldn't do anything to any of them.
Why was Lincoln so different?
She enjoyed going on dates with him. She enjoyed kissing him. She could even imagine something more with him. Quinlan stopped her observation and looked down on her lap. Several teardrops fell from her eyes. Lincoln didn't deserve this, he didn't need an older woman fantasizing about him. They should break up. He wasn't safe. He…
A knock on her window caused her to freeze. The police? A teacher? A parent? She looked over. It was a white tuft of hair. It was Lincoln. He waved happily at her before rounding the car. The boy jumped into the passenger side and knelt on the seat facing her.
"QT! What are you doing here? I had to double check the license plate to make sur… What's wrong?" Lincoln Loud had been so ecstatic to see his girlfriend's Impala but that's when he saw running makeup.
"Lincoln…" Quinlan could only glance up at him. She felt the thumping of her heart increase. The desire to pull him into a hug. The self hate of all those feelings. "W-we…"
"Quinlan?" Reached out to her manicured hand. Her eyes laid on the hand for a second. It was placed gently on top of hers to slowly urge her to speak without pressuring her to do so.
"W-we should break up…" Her eyes shut as more tears fell from her eyes. Several seconds went by without response.
"C-ccould you tell me why?" Quinlan's heart hurt, Lincoln's voice was so shaky. He didn't deserve this but she didn't deserve him.
"I'm weird okay!" The pained teen shouted, "I'm dating an eleven year old boy and I'm loving it! You aren't safe with someone like me!" Her tears flew from side to side as her head shook violently with the final statement.
"..."
"..."
"Then I'm weird for asking you out in the first place."
Quinlan's eyes opened wide and she quickly lifted her head to look at the boy. Lincoln was still knelt down on the seat his hand gripping hers tightly. The face he made tore her heart apart. His usually soft eyes were desperately trying to fight back tears, his breath was broken into sporadic bursts, but she could see determination.
"I'm the one who gave you the letter. I'm the one who started this. I'm the weird one. Not you." He choked out a breath to prevent a sob. "You're an amazing woman that I couldn't help but fall in love with. Please don't think you're weird because I'm making you feel that way."
Tears finally broke through.
They both kept eye contact through watery eyes. She couldn't handle it anymore and returned his grip. Fingers intertwined and she could only feel the warmth of his hand coming through. Lincoln was still trying to talk but it came out as mumbled blabber. Quinlan couldn't handle it anymore. Her hand reached out and pulled at his collar. Lincoln found himself forced downwards below the dash and near the gear shift.
"Lincoln if you love me, kiss me now."
No hesitation.
Lincoln's slammed his lips against hers. It was all like she remembered. Her heart raced. A spine tingling sensation bolted down her body. All of it. It was just Lincoln. Not because he was a boy. Because he was Lincoln.
The Loud boy pulled back, his eyes desperately hoping it was enough. It went far beyond that. Quinlan was still crying but it felt different than before. Their hands were still clasped together holding each other in front of the radio dial.
"You're okay dating a weird girl like me?"
"You're okay dating a weird guy like me?"
QT could only nod repeatedly before pulling him into another kiss.
"And that's what happened." Quinlan looked back to the girls in the lunch room with her. There was a mix of emotions on the girls face but she only paid attention to Lori's.
Lori felt emotional. Quinlan had already considered what she was terrified by. She had already gone through the emotional turmoil of it all. And she had forced the girl to go through it all over again. She felt awful.
"Quinlan, you really care for Lincoln don't you?" Lori spoke softly.
"I do. I'll say it a thousand times if you don't believe me."
"No. It's fine. I get it." The blonde teen looked up to the woman. "I'm not going to interfere again…"
"..."
"Please take care of Lincoln."
"Of course I will." QT smiled brightly for the first time that day. A moment was shared between the two. Both their confidence soared with one another.
"I'm so glad this is working out." Becky interrupted the moment. "Lincoln needs a couple good woman in his life." Her red hair flipped as she flung it back.
"I think I'm woman enough for Lincoln."
"Sure you are," Becky rolled her eyes. "But I'm his Tigress so if he wants a ride on the wild side, he knows who to call."
"Pfft, yeah right." Carol chuckled a bit. "I think he'd need a gentle hug from his Care Bear."
"I think-"
"A good thumping from Bunny Ears?" Becky cut off Dana who blushed wildly.
"Girls!" Lori shouted at her friends.
"Hahaha," QT began laughing at the proceedings. "I'll let him know but I'll just up his dose of sugar with his honey bee."
"At a girl!" Becky gave her a slap on the back. "We should totes add you to the Lincoln Heart Eva group chat!"
"Group Chat?!" Lori and Dana asked in disbelief.
"What's your number honey bee?" Carol moved in with her phone out.
"Why are you adding her before me?!" Dana asked, she caught a glimpse of Lori's gawking. "Uhh, sorry Lori."
The group began exchanging their numbers with lightning speed. Typing them in, QT realized something very important. She had forgotten their names and had only been using their pet names from Lincoln.
"Uhh, this is a bit awkward but could you tell me your names again?" Quinlan brushed one of her curls back shyly.
"No prob, I'm Becky." The party girl put her hand out to shake. QT took her up on her offer. "I'm fine with Tigress though. It's just a bit of fun."
"I'm Carol, feel free to call me Care Bear." The homecoming queen offered her own hand.
"And I'm Dana-"
"You can just call her Bunny Ears, she loves it." Becky teased.
"I do not!"
"..."
"Okay maybe a little." Dana shook QT's hand as well.
"Just put me in as Lori, Quinlan." Lori told QT. "Text me for now and I'll text back once I get my phone back. What should we call you by?"
"Quinlan or QT is fine."
"Not Quinn?" Dana asked.
"Ehh, I'll respond to it but I'd prefer my full name or how Lincoln used to refer to me."
"QT for Quinlan Timber right?" Carol inquired, "Why did he start calling you that?"
"It's because he didn't know how to spell it on the love letter he gave me."
"He gave you a love letter?!" The girls shouted in unity. QT's curls bounced as she nodded to them.
"That's so sweet~" Carol cooed, "So he put your initials and you got a to keep on being called a cutie endlessly by him. I wouldn't correct him either." She snapped her fingers to solidify her point.
"You need to tell us more about what he's done!" Lori was feeling a bit happier but her guilt from before still prevented her from going all out.
"I know!" Becky raised a hand. "How about Saturday we have a slumber party at Lori's?"
"That's a great idea!" Carol shouted.
"Whoa! Hold up." Lori had to cut in before they began making plans without her consent. "I'm still grounded for ruining Quinlan's date with Lincoln. I don't think I could do that."
"Maybe you can." Carol raised a hand to her chin in a thinking manner. "If you got in trouble for fighting with honey bee, then maybe your parents might be lenient if you're trying to make up with the sleep over"
"That...Literally might work! I'll check when I get home." Lori saw a glimmer of hope.
"Cool! How about a group selfie for our group chat about it?" Becky asked the group.
"Good idea, let me take it." Quinlan turned around and brought her phone up to take the picture. "I'll even send it to Lincoln to let him know."
Becky and Carol looped around the table to make it easier to take the picture. Quinlan focused the picture with her in the front. To tease her boyfriend she made sure to add a bit of cleavage to the shot. Becky pulled everyone together in a hug and raised a peace sign. The others noticed and threw up their own. Each put their respective smiles. A few clicks of QTs camera could be heard.
"Arlight we good?" Dana asked.
"One more" QT said.
"Hold up!"
But it was too late Dana wasn't able to do a full smile but that was the only picture with everyone's eyes open so it was the one sent. She felt so embarrassed.
Across the room QT's friends watched on. Rachel and Winter looked at the group taking a selfie. They were somewhat annoyed by QT ditching them but also wondered what was wrong. They considered her a friend and, while she wasn't the most talkative type, if she did need someone to speak to they wished it would be them.
"Hey Winter." A gruff voice came from across the table. The girl turned to the voice in question. It was that of her boyfriend. "We got a big basketball game this Friday, I got four tickets for you and a few of your friends." Winter's boyfriend placed them on the table and slid them over.
"Oh cool, you up to going Rachel?" The girl turned to her friend.
"Maybe, I have to check on something." Rachel responded to Winter.
"Cool. Cool. By the way could you make sure to bring Quinn along?" The boyfriend asked.
"Huh why?"
"My friend wants to ask her to prom and he wants to meet her there."
"I don-" Rachel tried to speak up.
"Make sure she's there okay? I got to go, see you later babe." Before the two could say anything the guy already left the table.
The two looked at the tickets. Royal Woods was going to face their rivals so it was a packed game, getting tickets was almost impossible right now.
"What do we do?" Rachel asked Winter after a quiet minute.
"I don't know, invite Quinn and hope for the best I guess." Winter waved her hands in brush off manner.
"But she has a boyfriend!" Rachel sounded offended.
"Look," Winter turned to her friend. "Quinn's boyfriend is being a coward not asking her to prom."
"I thought it was because he went to a different school or something."
"He does, but even if he's waiting for their school's prom that's stupid. He should just take her to both." Winter took the tickets in hand. "Here's the plan. We get Quinn to invite her boyfriend to the game. This other guy will show up and try to ask Quinn to prom. Then her boyfriend will either have nut up or shut up. Either Quinn will ditch her cowardly boyfriend or she will finally get her guy to ask her out. Simple."
"I don't think this is a good idea." Rachel said uncomfortably.
"Seriously, Rachel it'll all work out, trust me." Winter said it but she was also unsure. She just wanted to go to prom as a group of friends but it would be awkward if Quinn was the only one without a date. Winter really hoped this guy was man enough for Quinn.