Quinn

"When did you get here and why didn't you call me?" I exclaim, putting my bags down and going to hug him in the tightest hug ever. I missed Gus so much, and this is perfect because I was planning on calling him after I got back home anyways.

"Just wanted to stop by but wanted to pick something up for you before I came over," Gus said before helping me with my bags and putting them in the car. "Do you need a ride back or did you rent a car?" I ask just to be nice.

"I Ubered here so a ride would be nice," Gus smiles at me before we get in the car and I hook up my phone to the bluetooth as we ride home.

"Shut up, I love this song." I go to turn up the speaker and roll the windows down. "Can never go wrong with some Gracie Abrams." Now pause. I didn't think Gus knew anything about Gracie Abrams but here we are.

Now that I think about it, I don't think I know a lot about Gus at all. We don't really have those types of conversations you know? The only thing I know is that we only share one liked movie, American Physco, and that's only because I put him onto it.

But I have bad memories whenever I watch that movie because of a certain 6 '2 with the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. Even though he was a little messed up in the head and crazy, he was my crazy.

He helped me through so much when a certain girl told me to come with her to the Outer Banks and helped me make it my new home before all the shit went down. I told myself that I wouldn't think about my past anymore, but they have helped me through so much.

I can't help but feel grateful for what happened all that time ago. Even Zach and Genevieve don't know where I used to live before and who I was dating and all the jazz, and they won't ever will.

Rafe Cameron is dead to me. Literally and figuratively, but a part of me is getting paranoid that I keep seeing him in the shadows but whenever I look, it's like he was never there in the first place.

Sometimes I do wonder what my life would have been like if I didn't leave and help them instead, but I guess we will never know- not that I want to know anyways. I don't register that I have zoned out until I hear a car honking at me and Gus shaking me behind the wheel.

"What happened? Are you okay?" I hear Gus ask me, but I don't answer, instead I just turn down the music and continue my drive home in silence. I didn't think I would space out like that thinking of the one thing I said I wouldn't.

Thankfully, Gus helps me unload all the groceries into the house, just in time as well because Zach and Genevieve just got back from probably the beach. "Would you look at that," Genevieve exclaims, "Gangs all back together."

"Quinn, you're zoning out again." Gus snaps his fingers in front of my face, snapping me back into reality. "Thanks. Yup gang's all here," I laugh kinda awkwardly.

Reminds me of my old 'gang' I had. With Sofia, JJ, and Rafe. I can't let the memories invade my head. I'm already not in a good state of mind right now and I don't need to make it worse for myself.

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I'm in a daze by the time I go to bed. I'm doing everything on autopilot and feel like a zombie. Maybe I need to go back just one more time to stop whatever I'm feeling right now. I don't even go to bed because I've been tossing and turning all night.

I can't help it. But do you ever get a feeling where you feel like you are doing something wrong with your life? I normally don't feel this way but I have recently and it is making me second guess everything that I do.

I also feel like a failure at life even though I know I'm not. I feel like I missed out on a big piece of my childhood because I had to take care of myself since my parents didn't. Hell I didn't even have parents since they were never in the picture.

I had to teach myself everything growing up and I think it's been taking a toll on me mentally. I just can't take it anymore. I may act like I'm fine, but deep down I'm struggling.

I know I'm young but I already feel so behind compared to the people around me and it drives me nuts. Why can't I do anything right for once in my life.

At this point the water works are forming and next thing I know, I'm crying. Not the cute cry- the ugly cry. I think I was too loud because I heard someone open the door. To my surprise, it's Zach.

"You alright Quinn?" For some reason, his question broke me and I started to sob even more than I already was. "No," I say as he approaches the bed and sits right next to me with my favorite gummies in his hand.

"Gen thought you were having a tough time the last few days. Today seemed to be hard for you, so we thought of buying you your favorite snack so you could get cheered up." I think that is probably the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.

"Thanks Zach." I take the gummies and open them. I offered one to Zach but he doesn't want one. Even though me and Zach don't talk as much as me and Genevieve, we still have moments like this.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I think about it for a while before I decide to tell Zach about everything that happened to me before we met.
It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders now and I can finally breathe.

I think that could have been part of the reason I was so stressed and ended up feeling whatever I felt today, but now I feel so much better.

"Thanks Zach, I really needed that." I go to hug him again as we stay like that for a few minutes. "Anytime. But I think you need to go back and rekindle whatever unfinished business you have left there," Zach says and walks out of the room.

As much as I don't want to listen to him, I know he's right. I need to face my fears and go back to the place that caused me to be the person I am today. First I need to visit the place I used to call home before Sofia took me in. Then I need to go to Outer Banks and finish what I was too scared to come face to face with.

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Tomorrow is the day. Tomorrow I'm going to do what Zach told me and finish whatever unfinished business I had before meeting them. In the meantime, I'm hanging out with Gus for the day since when I get back he will be gone.

The two of us are currently on a boat that I rented out for the day. I might not have the cutest bikini on right now, but all of mine are in the wash or I just wasn't feeling it today. Now that I'm talking about bikinis, I want to make those boxes when I get back.

But for now, I just need to enjoy the view of the ocean, the sound the waves make, the company I have, the food said company brought for us, everything. I love everything about today so far even though we haven't done much yet.

In the meantime, me and Gus are enjoying a little picnic while enjoying the sun. He bought sandwiches, fruit, champagne, and a few little snacks. I don't think this could be topped right now if anyone tried.

"So how long do you plan on staying?" It feels a tad awkward right now, just because we haven't been alone since the whole kiss thing. Now don't get me wrong, it was a great kiss, but there was something missing.

It was just so- vanilla I guess. I needed the slight aggression in a kiss and Gus was just so plain and forgettable. Now Rafe on the other hand... oh boy did that man know how to kiss and make me forget my name.

Stupid Quinn. Why are you thinking about him when you have this lovely man right in front of you. Gosh.

"I don't know actually. Maybe a week or so." Gus pauses to take a drink of his champagne and continues. "I might look for a new job because I'm not happy where I am." Well I would hate to work in a place where I'm not happy.

I should get a job. Nah.

"Well if you aren't happy there you should definitely look for a new job. What were you thinking?" I didn't expect him to answer right away but he did. "Something in journalism or education." No way because I've always wanted to go into education at some point in my life.

"Those both seem like a really cool job. Well whatever you decide, I know you will be great at it," I smile at him as I put my hand on his shoulder. I see him look at my hand there a little longer than it should have.

But I brushed it off because I didn't expect to do that myself. Brushing the crumbs that fell from my sandwich, I get up and make my way to the edge of the boat. "Come in with me," I say, already making my descent down the ladder.

Gus has other plans though. He just jumps right in like the water isn't so cold. Well, I guess that's one way to get used to the temperature. After we splashed around for a little bit, I don't see him anymore.

"Gus!" I call out but don't hear anything. "Gus!" Again, nothing. Then I feel something pull at my feet and I let out the loudest scream.
Then I see Gus emerge from the water laughing. "That's not funny," I complain.

"It kinda was," He says, going to shake the water from his hair. Coming closer to me, I see Gus move his hand to get the hairs in my face away. I don't think I'm still registering how close we are right now until I feel him pull me closer.

"Gus," I pant, suddenly my heart rate is out of control. It's like I can feel my heartbeat going straight to my ears. "Yes Quinn?" He goes to move my hair under my ear. I still can't say anything, my mouth opening and closing like a fish.

"I don't know what kind of spell you put on me, but all I want to do is be near you," he says as he tries to kiss me. I turn my head fast enough that he kisses my cheek instead of my lips. When I feel him pull away, I see the hurt look on his face.

"Gus I- Save it," Gus interrupts me and just goes back onto the boat, leaving me in the water. I think I fucked up big time. Hurrying to get back on the boat, I try to talk to him, but all I get is the cold shoulder the whole way home.

Even when we get back to the house I get nothing. He won't even talk to Zach or Genevieve. "What's got his panties in a twist?" Genevieve asks as she watches Gus walk right past everyone.

"He tried to kiss me today and I moved my head so he would kiss my cheek. I didn't want to kiss him and now I've been getting the silent treatment since then." I really want to make this right before I leave tomorrow, but I don't know if that's possible.

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Gus

She may not have kissed me today, but once she gets back from visiting those shit friends, she will be obsessed with me one way or another. Quinn might not know it now, but she has had my heart from the moment I laid eyes on her.

She is my everything. Her not accepting my kiss was just a minor setback in my plan to win her over. She doesn't know that I know I won't see her tomorrow. But little does my sweet little angel know that I will be there with her.

In the shadows.

Waiting.

Watching.

Plotting.

Observing.

Quinn WILL be mine by the end of the summer.

Even if I have to tie her up and keep her in my basement, I will. I will do anything to prove my love to her. Yes she might get hurt in the process, but she will thank me in time.

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Dear diary,
Today was so weird. I hope Gus doesn't think that I like him like that. The first time we kissed was nice but it won't ever happen again.

I need to tell him how I feel soon or else I think he might get the wrong message.
Anyways, till next time.

Love,
Quinn