chapter 2

Quinn spent a while cleaning his and Johnny's room. He made his bed for the first time since he'd moved in and cracked a window. He wasn't trying to impress Chloe but he didn't want her to be disgusted in them.

Except maybe he was trying to impress her. He knew he didn't have a chance, but he couldn't help it. She was beautiful, that was undeniable. Perfect hair, always, with deep blue eyes that sparkled every time she laughed. Beyond that, she was just wonderful. Funny and sweet, always looking for the best in people. She was just so kind that Quinn couldn't help but love being around her. He doubted anyone could.

He showered and made sure he looked okay before she got there. It was a bit pathetic and he knew it. He just didn't want to look a mess, knowing that she'd turn up looking perfect as ever.

When he heard her knock, Quinn opened the door and was surprised to see her with a large duffel bag. He stepped back to let her into the room. The bag was evidentially heavy by the way dropped onto his bed.

“What's in there?” he asked, closing the door.

“I have quite a lot of work for you to look through,” Chloe said as she started to pull folders and a laptop out of the bag. “Plus I thought I'd bring us some snacks to get us through this.”

Quinn's eyebrows shot up as she started to empty out the “snacks” she'd brought. Two different 2 litre bottles of soda, bags of chips, a box of donuts and multiple bags of candy covered his bed by the time she was done.

“Are we having a party?” Quinn asked with a chuckle.

“Oh no, there were just a few offers on, I guess I got a little carried away.”

Quinn took a seat where he could and started to look through some of the folders. Chloe explained some of the things he was looking at. There were entire folders full of research, with references and everything.

“I know this looks weird, but I'm really indecisive,” she said. “I ended up not using a lot of my work last year, so feel free to use whatever you like.”

“I can't just straight rip you off,” Quinn said.

“Why not? I mean it would be a shame for it to go to waste, right?”

“No but... I mean that just wouldn't be right,” Quinn said.

“Haven't you heard the old saying?” Chloe asked. “It's not what you know but who you know?”

“I know, I know but some of this would pretty much complete my assignment,” Quinn said, absent-mindedly reaching for the box of doughnuts.

“It's fine, it's your first one anyway,” Chloe said. “You just need a little head start, that's all.”

Over the next couple of hours, Chloe helped him to put an assignment together with some of his existing photographs he'd taken for the project whilst he ate some of the food she'd brought. She spliced his work with hers and Quinn was amazed at the quality of her references. Soon enough, he had a complete assignment. He felt a little bad, sure, but it was just too good to be true.

“Are you sure I can use all of this?” he asked.

“Yeah of course,” she said. “I got help last year too, don't worry. Most people do.”

“Thank you,” he said.

“It's no problem at all,” she said. “If you need any more help, please don't hesitate to ask me.”

Chloe started to pack up some of the papers and folders that he didn't need. She looked around at the food that was left over.

“I hate to ask but do you mind if I leave the food with you?” she asked. “Pippa will kill me if I bring this much junk food into the house.”

“Uhh yeah, I don't see why not,” Quinn said.

“You'll get through it eventually, right?”

Quinn felt his cheeks flush. There were enough snacks left over for five or six people and he'd already eaten enough of them that his stomach and pants were feeling a little tight. Did Chloe think he'd eat that much?

“I mean, you two boys usually have snacks about, don't you?”

Quinn realised that she wasn't just talking about him. He was getting embarrassed for nothing. Of course she meant him and Johnny.

“Oh yeah,” he said. “Johnny will love you for the doughnuts.”

Not that there were many left.

Chloe gave him a quick smile before standing up to leave. She grabbed a pen and wrote something down quickly on the paper left on his bed.

“I meant it about letting me know if you need anything,” she said. “That's my number. Put it in your phone and text me so I have yours too.”

Quinn did just that as soon as she'd left. Then he tried to resist the rest of the food sitting on his bed. He counted it mostly as a success. Finishing the box of doughnuts wasn't that bad, was it?

Going on a run was going to have to wait.