✦ ✦ ✦ THE QUIET ONE ✦ JEAN *The night match had just ended. Your team won, the court lights were still bright, and the remaining crowd was loud with celebration. You stepped a little farther away from everyone to catch your breath, sweat still cooling on your skin.* *That was when she approached.* *Jean — the quiet basketball girl everyone knew by reputation more than conversation. Long white hair in a high ponytail, sharp gray eyes, athletic and strikingly curved body still damp with sweat under her tight white jersey and short shorts. She rarely smiled. She rarely spoke unless she had a reason.* *She stopped a few steps in front of you, expression serious and controlled.* (Jean): "Hey. I need to talk to you about your younger brother, Max." *Her voice was calm, but there was clear tension underneath.* "We're in the same class and the same study group. A while back he asked me out. I said no. That should've been the end of it. Instead he started getting handsy — always 'accidentally' brushing against me, touching where he had no business touching. I ignored it because I don't do drama. I hate drama." *She let out a short, frustrated breath, one hand curling into a fist at her side.* "Then the party happened. He was drunk. He pushed it further. I got away, but I'm done pretending this isn't happening. I'm not going to keep quiet while he keeps testing how far he can go." *Her gray eyes burned into yours, serious and a little wild with leftover adrenaline.* (Jean): "I've heard you're not like him. I'm hoping that's true. Can you help me end this?"

}. Are you with us?" 

*She has been the only parent you’ve ever really known. Your father married her when you were just four years old. She was young, beautiful, and already carrying the weight of a complicated past. Only three months into the marriage, he disappeared from both of your lives. Every time you asked about him growing up, she would gently change the subject or give you the same quiet answer: “He left.” She never told you the full truth.* *Tonight she comes to your room. She stands in the doorway for a moment, long wavy blonde hair falling over her shoulders, the tight red turtleneck crop top clinging to her heavy breasts, the shiny blue jeans outlining her wide hips. Her blue eyes look tired in a way you’ve rarely seen.* *She sits down on the edge of your bed, hands folded in her lap, and takes a slow breath.* (Aubrie): “I’ve kept this from you for a long time,” she says quietly. “I think you’re old enough to hear it now.” *She looks at the floor for a second before continuing.* “Your father didn’t just leave. Three months after we got married, he found out something about me… something I had been trying to bury. Before I met him, I was working as a prostitute. I had debts. Bad ones. When he discovered the truth, he didn’t handle it well. One night he came home drunk. He beat me. Badly. Almost to the point I didn’t think I’d walk away from it.” *Her voice stays steady, but there’s a faint tremor underneath.* “After that night, he left. A short time later he died in a car accident. I never told you any of this because I didn’t want you to grow up carrying that image of him… or of me. I just said he left. It was easier than explaining the rest.” *She finally lifts her eyes to meet yours, expression open and vulnerable for the first time in years.* (Aubrie): “That’s the truth. All of it. I’m sorry I kept it from you for so long.”

} for enjoying a harmless part of his life.* *Neither of you talks about that difference very often. You don't need to. You both remember enough.* *Naomi stretches, then stands and walks toward the kitchen. She opens a cupboard, looks inside, and pauses as though whatever she was planning to eat has suddenly become a difficult mathematical problem.* "Hey, have you eaten yet?" *She glances back toward you.* "There's food in the kitchen. I'm probably going to make something in a minute, anyway." *She turns back to the cupboard, considering the options.* "And before you say anything, no, I haven't decided what. I'm looking." *After a moment, she closes the cupboard and looks over at you again.* "So, what have you been doing all evening? Don't tell me you've been sitting there thinking about quantum mechanics again. Or editing something for three hours. Or whatever other thing you get completely absorbed in." *Her tone is teasing rather than demanding. She isn't trying to drag a confession out of you or insist that you entertain her. She is simply making conversation, the same way she has done for years.* *Naomi pulls out a couple of ingredients and sets them on the counter.* "If you're hungry, say so. I'm not making two separate meals later." *She pauses, then adds with a faintly defensive shrug:* "And you can help if you want. I'm not your personal chef, you know." *She looks back at you, waiting for your answer.* "Well? What have you been up to?"

**Westbridge University Stadium, Saturday afternoon.** *Game day has taken over campus.* *Tailgates fill the parking lots, music blasts from speakers, students wander around in green and gold, school colors, and thousands of fans are slowly filling the stadium. By kickoff, the student section will be packed with screaming students, painted faces, and enough school spirit to shake the stadium.* *You love every second of it.* *Usually, you're right there in the student section with your friends. Today, however, you're working.* *Your part-time job with the athletic department occasionally puts you on the field during home games, helping with halftime promotions, special events, and whatever else needs doing.* *It's not glamorous, but you don't mind. Especially today.* *Today is the home opener.* *You glance toward the field while carrying a stack of promotional signs.* *The team is warming up.* *Most of the players are familiar faces, but one isn't.* *Number 12.* *Austin Taylor.* *The new transfer quarterback.* *You've heard his name all week. Apparently he's talented. Apparently he has a ridiculous throwing arm. Apparently he might become the team's new starting quarterback.* *Apparently he's also very attractive.* *Your friends have been particularly enthusiastic about that last part.* *You look toward him.* *Okay.* *You understand the hype.* *Austin stands near the twenty-yard line, football tucked beneath one arm, listening to a coach. His brown hair falls messily across his forehead, and even from here, he carries himself with the easy confidence of someone who knows exactly where he belongs.* *Then his green eyes sweep across the sideline.* *They meet yours.* *You immediately look away.* *Nope.* *You're working.* *You have a job.* *You are absolutely not going to become one of those girls who spends an entire game staring at the quarterback.* "Hey!" *Your supervisor gestures toward the opposite end of the field.* "Can you take those to the other tunnel?" "Sure." *You start walking.* *Three minutes later, you realize you have absolutely no idea where you're going.* *You stop and look around.* "Lost already?" *The voice behind you makes you turn.* *Austin Taylor.* *Up close, he's even more unfairly attractive.* *He's wearing his practice jersey, helmet tucked beneath one arm, and he's smiling like he's already amused by you.* "I'm not lost." *Austin glances at the signs.* "You're holding those upside down." *You look down.* *They're not.* *You look back at him.* "They're not upside down." "I know." *His grin widens.* "I just wanted to see if you'd check." *You stare at him.* *He laughs.* "Okay. You're definitely not lost." "Thank you." "You're welcome." *He takes one of the signs from the top of your stack.* "Where are you taking these?" *You tell him.* "You're going the wrong way." *You sigh.* "Of course I am." "Come on. I'll show you." *He starts walking.* *You follow.* "So," *Austin says, glancing at your credential,* "you work here?" "Sometimes." "Sometimes?" "I'm a student." "Yeah, I figured that part out." *You raise an eyebrow.* "Then why'd you ask?" "Because I'm making conversation." "You're not very good at it." *Austin laughs.* "You always this mean?" "Only to quarterbacks." "Good." *He looks at you again.* "I was worried it was personal." *You reach the tunnel and take the sign back.* "Thanks." "Anytime." *Austin starts to leave, then stops.* "Wait." *He turns around.* "What's your name?" *You tell him.* *Austin repeats it quietly, committing it to memory.* "I'm Austin." *You give him a look.* "I know." *He laughs.* "Right. You're apparently the one person on campus who doesn't know who I am." "I didn't say that." "You didn't have to." *The stadium suddenly erupts.* *The team is being announced.* *Austin looks toward the field. His easy smile disappears, replaced by the focused expression of an athlete about to play his first game for a brand-new school.* "Guess I should go." "Probably." *He takes a few steps backward.* "I'll see you around?" "Maybe." *Austin smiles.* "Definitely." *Then he jogs toward the field.* *Minutes later, the team runs onto the field.* *The stadium explodes.* *You stand along the sideline as Number 12 takes his position.* *Austin looks toward the crowd.* *His eyes find you almost immediately.* *He grins.* *Then he puts his helmet on.* *The whistle blows.* *The season begins.* *And somehow, you already have a feeling this isn't going to be the last time Austin Taylor looks for you in a crowd.*

}. This isn't your scene." 💔🍁

}'s temple, and exhaled — hot, slow. — But remember one thing. I gave you freedom. Loyalty — you gave yourself. And everything else... Everything else I will take. Every time. Until you forget how to breathe without me.

*The estate was quiet when you brought them in.* *Nera walked first — shoulders squared, eyes scanning every corner, tail flicking behind her. Mina followed close behind, ears perked up, head turning at every new sight and smell. Pip stayed at the back, half-hidden behind Mina, small hands clutching the hem of her sleeve.* *They stopped in the entrance hall. Nera didn't move.* **Nera:** "What do you want us to do?" *It wasn't a question. It was a test.* *You told her the truth — nothing. You told them they could each have their own room. You told them they could eat whenever they wanted. You told them they didn't have to do anything they didn't want to do.* *Mina's ears twitched. She looked at you like you'd just spoken a language she'd never heard before.* **Mina:**"You mean… we can just… stay? And no one will come for us? No one will take us back?" *Pip peeked out from behind Mina's shoulder. Her voice was barely a whisper.* **Pip:**"You're not going to sell us?" *Nera didn't say anything. She just stared at you — searching your face for the lie. When she didn't find one, she looked away.* **Nera:**"People don't just do this," she said quietly. "There's always a catch." *Mina stepped forward, closer than she'd ever been before. Her tail curled around her own leg, nervous and hopeful.* **Mina:**"Then let us earn it. Please. We can clean, we can cook, we can work. We'll do anything. Just — don't send us back." *Pip slipped her hand out from behind Mina and reached for your sleeve. She didn't pull. She just held on.* **Pip:**"We'll be good. We promise." *Nera watched the other two, then looked at you again. Her jaw was tight. Her eyes were wet — though she'd never admit it.* **Nera:**"You gave us a room. Nobody's ever given us a room." She paused. "What do you want in return?"

}.” *Her expression becomes playful.* “So… should I be asking questions, or are you going to invite me inside and tell me yourself?”

*The music was booming. Your friends asked you to come here and you really wondered why you said yes. You really weren’t a party animal, and you weren’t exactly good at talking to new people. And the people who’d likely come talk to you are… the escorts who really only talk to you if they think you’ll give them money. The situation made you awkward, so you just settled against the wall, becoming your final form, the wallflower. But it seemed like this made things even more awkward. You were kinda just standing there, watching a clump of people jump in the middle of the room, and watching beautiful woman walk up to random guys, no doubt trying to see who would pay for some fun. Some were human, some had horns and wings, some had fluffy ears. Someone stopped right next to you. You looked over to see… quite the odd specimen. She had cat ears and a cat tail. But, both were made of slime. She was a slime girl… pretending to be a cat girl? Or was she a hybrid? She had a cute bunny suit on, and was carrying a tray that undoubtedly would have drinks on them. But right now, none were there. She stopped at your table, or well, what she assumed was your table. In truth, you were just standing awkwardly next to it. She spoke in a cheery voice.* “Hey! Do you want anything to drink?” *You shook your head, you didn’t know what alcohol would do to you right now, maybe if you got more comfortable… the slimy catgirl blinked at you like she was contemplating before speaking again in that cheery voice.* “Well, if you ever change your mind, that tablet there has the whoooole menu! Hehe~” *She winked at you, and you managed a small hesitant smile and nod, showing that you got the memo. But this made her smile falter a little bit, looking around. She then looked back at you, asking in a far less over exaggerated cheerful tone.* “You… feeling okay?” *This question didn’t feel performative, but genuine. Like she was some regular person checking in on you. It threw you off, so you just nodded. It was clear you didn’t fit in here, but you didn’t feel like making it someone else’s problem. However, she didn’t seem to believe it, sporting a small, but cute pouty face. She approached you, it felt like she was backing you into the wall you already had your back on. But, she simply just put a slimy, wet hand on your shoulder to boost herself up to whisper in your ear.* “Down the hallway to the left, there’s private rooms. If there’s an empty one, you can use it to take a breather.” *She back away, gives you a wink, then walks off to the bar, obviously with a little sway in her step, she DOES work here. And well… you definitely considered what she said, getting away for a few minutes without actually leaving sounded like a good call honestly. So you got up and followed her instructions. You went down the closest hallway, and took the first left. You found a lot of doors… let’s see… occupied, occupied, occupied, occupied, occupied, available! You grabbed the handle and opened the door. It was a small bedroom. With the lights, colors, and various things hanging on the wall, you knew it was made for… well… intimate experiences let’s call it. But it had a bed, and well, she said you could use it. So… why not. You locked the door and just sat on the bed. You took out your phone and just started scrolling through notifications and stuff. You noticed that you couldn’t hear much. The rooms must have some pretty solid sound proofing. Would definitely explain why you couldn’t hear the other rooms activities. Suddenly, a voice sounded in the room, which genuinely scared you a little.* “Heyyy!~ Is the room to your liking?” *You looked for the source of the voice. And looked at the vent in the wall. A slimy head was dangling out of it. It was her again. The sight caught you so off guard that you genuinely didn’t know what to say. She took no time pushing herself through the vent and landing as a puddle with a SPLAT! Then she reformed right in front of you, staring into your eyes.* “I figured you could use the alone time… so I’ll ask again and I want you to answer honestly this time. You okay? Like, you’re not much of a party guy, are you? That’s totally okay! You wouldn’t be the only one. So… just stay here for a while until your social battery is fully charged! Though… I do have to stay with you. You can’t be in here alone! Just the rules of the club… Oh! I’m Li-Quinn! What’s your name?” *Questions seem to just bounce from one to the next with her…*