22. Quinn

22

QUINN

A fter three days of sunshine, the weather had turned cold and grey. I curled up on my bed, snuggled into Roman's lacrosse team hoodie, my laptop open in front of me and music playing softly through my earbuds. Scrolling through the notes for my history extra-credit assignment, I made minor adjustments here and there before sitting back, satisfied that it was as good as I was going to get it for now. After saving my file and emailing myself a copy as a backup, I stopped the music and removed my earbuds.

Across the room, Aria raised her head."Done?"

"So far, it's just a collection of notes, but I've finished for now. Have you?"

She stretched, yawning. "Yeah, I've done as much as I want to for today. Do you want to do something before your committee meeting? The common room will probably be quiet. We might be able to commandeer the TV for a bit."

As she spoke, rain began pattering against the windowpanes, and I felt the chill emanating through the stone walls. I shivered, pulling Roman's hoodie more tightly around me, completely on board with Aria's suggestion. The common room was always warm and cosy. And since I didn't have Roman to warm me up, it would have to do.

"Sounds good to me. I'll just clear this stuff away, and then we can go."

Aria had been right. The common room was almost empty when we entered. The only occupants were Katy and Will, two of Hatherley Hall's prefects and good friends of Elena's. They were tucked into the corner of the room,deep into a game of chess, and after greeting Aria and me, they returned to their game.

Grabbing the TV remote, Aria dropped onto one of the large sofas. After scrolling aimlessly for a while, she threw the remote down. "There's nothing good on. Want to play Mario Kart ?"

"Okay."

As she was setting up the game, my phone vibrated with a message notification. When I unlocked the screen, I smiled.

Roman:

Why aren't we studying the same A-level subjects? Knox isn't as pretty to look at as you

Me:

Don't tell him that

Roman:

It would crush him. It can be another one of our secrets

Speaking of secrets. I can't wait until we get out of here. No more school. No more parental demands. Just you and me baby

Me:

I can't wait either

I couldn't help but wonder what a future between me and Roman looked like. The way he spoke with so much certainty, referring to the future like there was no doubt that we'd be together, made something inside me ache. I wanted that more than anything.

My phone vibrated again, and I glanced back down at the screen with a smile, which was wiped away when I saw who the message was from.

Dad:

Your mother and I received word of your latest assignment results. Keep up the good work. We're pleased with your progress. However, it has been brought to our attention that you've been fraternising with the Cavendish boy. Remember our agreement, darling. This is for your benefit.

Fuck . I blew out a breath, my mind racing. And then, I prepared to lie to one of my parents.

Me:

Thanks, Dad. I've only been in a group situation with him. I haven't sought him out at all, as per your rules. In fact, I've only really been speaking to his friend, Tristan Smith-Chamberlain

Dad:

I see. The Smith-Chamberlains are a prestigious family, and Tristan is the head boy. Your mother and I certainly won't discourage you from gently pursuing something with someone of his standing when your studies are over, but your focus must be on your schoolwork now. I don't want to hear any hint of a scandal.

"Gently pursuing" was parental speak for keeping things strictly PG. Little did they know that Tristan was the last person to keep things PG with someone he was interested in. Not that they'd ever find out. And if they wanted to think I was interested in him in the meantime, that would keep the focus away from Roman.

I sent one final reply.

Me:

I understand. I have to go now. I have a committee meeting for the ball soon. Give my love to Mum

Dad:

I will. Remember, we only want what's best for you. Keep up the good work, darling.

Throwing my phone down next to me, I groaned. "Parents."

Aria's mouth twisted. "What now?"

"They apparently found out that I've been speaking to Roman. My dad didn't seem too concerned, not after I insinuated that Tristan was the one I was interested in, so whoever gave them the information couldn't know very much about the situation. I just need to be really careful."

A throat cleared next to my ear, and then a head dipped down, a swift kiss brushing over my cheek. My gaze flew to Katy and Will, but they were thankfully oblivious, too engrossed in their game of chess. Relaxing, I turned to smile at Roman, who was sinking down next to me, and then Knox, who threw himself down onto the rug, stretching his legs in front of him with a groan.

"Nice hoodie," Roman murmured with a smirk. I glanced down at myself.

"Someone lent it to me and never took it back."

"Someone thinks you should wear it all the time."

If only . I probably shouldn't even wear it around the school in case it gave anyone ideas, but it was probably safe enough in here. I was feeling a little better after the text conversation with my dad, and I was sure Tristan wouldn't mind being used as an excuse if necessary. He'd surprised me—there was more to him than appeared on the surface.

"Mmm. It is very comfortable." I shifted closer, Roman eyeing me with amusement. "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"We got out of our class early, so we thought we'd come and—" He glanced at the TV screen. "—beat you at Mario Kart ."

"I didn't think this through," Aria cut in as she threw controllers to Knox and Roman. She pointed between me and Roman. "You and him means me having to spend more time around the gods. At least the head boy isn't here this time."

"We'll wear you down." Roman shot her a wink. "We'll even let you win this game."

She snorted. "I don't need any help to kick your ass. Let's do this."

Aria was in the middle of getting our third game set up when everything went wrong.

"Whose hoodie is that?"

I squeezed my controller, the hard plastic digging into my palm, refusing to look at the three girls who had just entered the common room.

"She was cold. I lent it to her. What's the problem?" Knox drawled from his position on the floor, his expression icy as he stared Freya down. Next to her, Penelope's lips were pursed, her eyes closing as if she could wish herself away. I knew the feeling.

Freya placed her hands on her hips. "Why did you give her Roman's hoodie? Why not yours?"

He rolled his eyes. "None of your fucking business. Move, please. You're blocking my view of the TV."

She huffed, moving to stand at the side of the sofa next to Roman. "Roman. Why?"

"She was cold, and he helped himself to my shit. You think his girlfriend wants to see another girl wearing his hoodie? Me? I don't give a fuck. Don't read anything into it." Roman's words were dismissive, and if I hadn't known how he really felt about me, I might've believed them myself.

Freya had no response to that, taking a seat on one of the other sofas, along with Penelope and Harriet. I sighed. There was no point in me staying here now. I rose to my feet, throwing the controller to Freya, who caught it, her eyes wide.

"Your turn to play. I have homework to do." Roman and Knox both ignored me as I lifted my hand in a wave and then escaped the common room. But when I got back to my dorm, throwing the hoodie down on the end of my bed, I received a text.

Roman:

You look fucking hot in my clothes but even hotter out of them

Can't believe you left me here with Freya. Now I have to play nice so she doesn't get suspicious

I know what you're thinking and I'm not flirting or doing anything to lead her on. You're the only one I want

Me:

I know. This whole situation is so messed up. Sorry

Roman:

Not your fault and you're worth it

Me:

Thank you *heart emoji*

Roman:

*heart emoji* *heart emoji*

I smiled down at the little emojis. How could a tiny collection of pixels lift my mood so much?

Since Aria had been forced into remaining in the common room and I was alone, I decided to make the most of my free time and return my library books, then get back to my extra-credit assignment for my history class. Only five of us in the class had taken on the project, and while it didn't count towards our A-level results, our final papers would be submitted for potential publication in The Historical Review , a prestigious academic research journal. It was an amazing opportunity, especially for someone who had hopes of becoming a historian one day, which Penelope and I both did. We'd been discussing ideas for our papers, and I'd been researching my chosen discipline, but I had yet to narrow down the final subject of my paper.

I lost track of time, buried in the library stacks, until my phone beeped softly with the reminder I'd set for today's ball committee meeting. Gathering up my notebook and the new books I'd borrowed, I made my way back to the dorm room.

Stopping dead in the centre of the room, I stared at my bed, at the place I'd thrown Roman's hoodie.

It was gone.