𝖲𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗍𝗂𝗆𝖾 𝗂𝗇 𝖲𝖾𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗆𝖻𝖾𝗋 2016

" 𝕺h my god".

Quinn frowns, his eyes tracking Cassie's gaze as both remain frozen on the middle of the dance floor, his best friend staring a familiar guy who's seated on a one-seater making out with the girl in his lap.

"Is that—".

"Fucking Sean, yes it is".

"Okay", he mimics inhaling deeply, one hand immediately settling on his best friend's forearm to keep her from charging at the guy from their rival school's debate team who had the audacity to go on several dates with Cassie then completely ghost her.

If Quinn could he'd put him in his place himself but naturally he's supposed to be rational.

"Let's take a deep breath here, Cass. Come on, let's think about what could go—", she rips her arm from his grasp and marches right up to the busy couple leaving a wide-eyed Quinn to scurry after her.

Reaching Sean, Cassie kicks his outstretched leg with the tip of her doc martens, the former jolting away in surprise with the girl in his lap pulling away to scowl at the brunette glaring down at them.

"Oh. Cassie, hi".

"Just who do you think you are?".

"Look, it wasn't personal. You kinda spent our last date yelling at me the entire time I don't really think I could've put up with tha—".

"After you belittled my debate skills. Need I remind you how badly we've pummeled your team every month since I joined? If you thought I wouldn't keep your ego in check then you're clearly more dumb than you look".

He throws his hands up.

"Alright, fine. I'm dumb. Sorry for whatever. Can you leave me alone now?".

"You're being a buzzkill", the girl in his lap comments.

"Cass . . . .", Quinn lays a gentle hand on her shoulder but she continues staring down Sean.

"You think you can simply ghost someone after making plans with them for a next date?".

"Holy shit, dude. You were yelling at me. And it's not like you would've enjoyed laser tag with my friends? I know you only said yes for the hell of it".

"She'd completely destroy you in laser tag, actually. Just like she does at debate meets", Quinn remarks earning the boy's attention.

"Oh, yay. The sidekick is here", Sean deadpans and Quinn opens his mouth to retort when suddenly a glass full of punch — most likely alcoholic — gets thrown on Sean.

He gasps loudly, the girl in his lap scuttling to get off him as he sits there with eyes bulging out of his skull, mouth open in shock and red liquid soaking his entire midsection.

Cassie stands there, unapologetic with a paper cup in her hand that she seemingly snatched off a bystander's grasp.

"I might have let you get away with speaking shit about me but you don't get to insult him", she narrows her eyes, Sean looking up at her with a murderous look.

She shoves the cup into the hands of the girl who had only minutes ago been sitting on Sean's lap and turns a fake smile on the both of them.

"Have fun", she waves, instantly grabbing a shocked Quinn's hand and dragging them out of the house.

"Oh, shit", are the first words Quinn utters when they step foot out of the house and breathe in the night air.

Cassie giggles, putting her hair up with a hairtie as Quinn stays staring at her in astonishment.

"That is one of the craziest things you've ever done. And I've seen you do some really insane things".

"We should go get something to eat. This party was stupid anyways".

She begins walking in the direction of Jim's car which Quinn borrowed for tonight.

"What happened to 'socialising and putting ourselves out there'? I thought we needed more close friends who aren't each other", he calls out, following her.

"Yeah, well", she throws a careless glance over her shoulder, "we're clearly meant to be weird together".

"I hope you never rope me into a crime".

She turns, walking backwards while her gaze is firm on him, a smirk lining her lips.

"Are you scared, Hughes?".

"Of you? Yes, very much".

"Don't worry. If I ever go to jail I'll leave you out of it so that I have someone to bail me out".

He grins, "I'll call your parents".

She rolls her eyes, "Sure, you will. Now, hurry up. I'm hungry".

— && —

Principal Dixon glances between the two teenagers facing him from the chairs opposite his desk, his spectacles teetering on the bridge of his nose as his eyes bore into the girl who is tapping incessantly on the armrest and the boy who is sitting with his back straight, hands held tightly together in his lap.

"You two do realise the gravity of the situation, right? Mr. Weston's parents have asked for a serious punishment for you, Miss Flores. What do you have to say about that?".

"Mr. Dixon, I'm sure we can—", Adriana leans in from the couch behind them where both she as well as the Hugheses are seated.

"I don't remember there being a 'serious punishment' for Sean when he was caught cheating at the Colorado Meet last year".

"Cassie", her mother hisses from behind but she avoids her and continues holding Mr. Dixon's stare.

"Well", the principal sighs, "unfortunately, I wasn't the one dealing with that. The Meet officials were responsible for it. But this falls under my purview and I need to ensure that a just punishment is delivered".

Cassie blinks, squinting at him.

"What do you suggest?".

"They, as in Sean's parents, have asked for a two month suspension from the debate team. That would mean missing the next four inter-state meets".

"No. Even Sean wasn't suspended for that long. And he was cheating".

"Again, that has nothing to do with this. And when you do something wrong you have to face the consequences of your actions, Miss Flores".

"Mr. Dixon, can't we reach a compromise?", Adriana chirps up.

"Miss Flores was the main offender so I will have to be strict".

"It has nothing to do with school though. Can't he handle the consequences of his actions on his own?", Cassie leans forward.

Principal Dixon rubs his temples.

"Mr. Weston is not the one vying for an Ivy League spot. Or applying to highly sort after colleges. You are, so yes you need to be more careful. And I wish they wouldn't make this my problem but they have and there's nothing either of us can do about it".

"I did it".

All eyes turn to Quinn as he confidently sits there waiting for his principal's response.

"What are you—".

"Cassie", he places a hand on her arm, "decided to take the fall for me because she didn't want me going down for something that I did for her. Sean's lying because she said a few . . . . things to him at the party. But I threw the drink".

"I did not expect this from you, Mr. Hughes", the principal eyes him carefully.

"That's because he didn't do anything! I did it—".

"Cassie", Adriana's hand comes down hard on her daughter's shoulder as she now stands behind her chair, "is very sorry for her actions, Mr. Dixon. And so is Quinn. We can compromise on it, they're just kids. No need to make this any bigger and Cassie is a very important member of your debate team".

Mr. Dixon sighs, taking his spectacles off and placing them aside.

"That is true. Our win record has never been as consistent as it has been with Miss Flores' entry", he turns to Quinn, "You'll receive a one week detention, Mr. Hughes".

Quinn nods, "I'm really sorry".

"You can all leave", he waves both the students and the parents out.

Cassie gets up, smoothing down her ponytail.

"Mr. Dixon, Quinn had nothing—".

"Come on now", Adriana all but shoves her daughter out of the office.

Cassie turns on her mom, "What is wrong with you? He didn't do anything!".

"Quite the show you put on there", Jim remarks glancing at Quinn in amusement.

"Do you think Harvard will appreciate seeing a two month suspension on your record? Where is your head at?".

Adriana glares at her daughter who stares right back, defiantly.

"As much as I don't appreciate Quinn doing what he did in there, she's right, Cassie. You need to be careful. And it's only a week", Ellen looks at her son, "this won't affect your practice, right?".

Quinn shakes his head, "No, it's just one more hour after school".

"Then it's alright, I guess. You'll get the time to finish your homework", Jim places a hand on Quinn's shoulder.

"Thank you, Quinn. Really. You have no idea how much this means to the both of us", Adriana directs at the boy but Cassie keeps scowling at him.

"And thank you to you two as well. You have to come over for dinner this weekend. I promise I'll make it up to you", her mother directs at Jim and Ellen who chuckle falling in step with Mrs. Flores as they make their way to the doors leading outside.

"Please don't be mad at me".

Cassie glances up finding his pleading blue eyes fixed on her.

"That was so unnecessary".

"No, it wasn't. I'm not the one who's applying to fancy schools, you are. And you've been working so hard for it. I'm not letting a creep like Sean take it away from you".

Her lips lift up, slightly.

"And you did defend me there so thank you", he smiles playfully colliding his shoulder with hers.

"I'm doing your homework for the rest of this week".

"No, you're not", he throws an arm over her shoulder, guiding her out towards the parking lot where their parents are headed.

"Quinn, I am. I really don't want you doing this for me. You're only in this because I got reckless. Please let me do something. I'll feel so bad otherwise".

He pretends to think for a second before glancing at her.

"Maybe you could make me your abuelita's infamous Ropa Vieja? All just for me".

She finally laughs, leaning into his side.

"You got it".

***
ngl i'm kinda scared for canucks vs oilers