I was halfway home before I was able to control the few tears that had leaked out of my eyes. I was so busy caught up in my small, emotional world, I didn’t notice the thick atmosphere around me. 

The snow stopped falling so I could see clearly. The roads were slick with black ice and snow, but for the most part, everything was cleared away. The prickle on my neck, however, was a different story. I never put much stock into instincts, but something kept me from ignoring the weird shiver traveling down my spine. 

I glanced behind me and let out a sigh of relief. Three girls from school were a few yards back. My body relaxed. I didn’t have anything to worry about. 

But my thoughts proved me wrong when a large, hard, compacted ball of ice smacked me in the back of the head. I’d like to think I was strong enough to handle a little bit of pain, but that was not the case. Tears instantly welled in my eyes. I could feel a steady throbbing of pain from the back of my head. The world around me spun. 

Before I even had time to gather my thoughts to work out what happened, an onslaught of fists slammed into every inch of my body. The only logical conclusion was that my three schoolmates were jumping me. 

I curled into a ball and covered the back of my neck with shaking hands. 

Feet followed where the fists had hit, and I felt a heavy blow against my nose. Blood started gushing from it, staining the fluffy white snow a deep red. It was at that point one of the girls took my head and bashed it against the curb. 

Thankfully, I was wearing quite a few layers of hats, otherwise things could have gone a different way. 

“Don’t interfere with Quinn and Eliza’s relationship.” one of the girls hissed in my ear. They all turned and walked away. 

My entire body was shaking and I had no idea how to handle this situation. I didn’t recognize any of the girls, partly because their clothing hid most of everything.

I had nothing to do with Quinn and Eliza’s relationship.

Nothing was stopping them from dating.

I had nothing to do with it! 

I clutched my book bag to my chest and balled up a large handful of snow, pressing it against my nose. I was nearly home… 

I made to stand up. Pain flashed through my body. I didn’t know if I would be able to make it home by myself… I was determined to try. With each painful step forward, I was closer to my home—closer to resting. 

Before I knew it, I collapsed along the side of the road, clutching my ribs and trying to stem the flow of blood from my nose. I didn’t have a cellphone like the other students, so I had no way of contacting anyone for help. My parents were a little old-fashioned and didn’t want me to become addicted to a piece of technology.

I curled in on myself and prayed to the heavens that someone, anyone, would notice me. 

“Zenna!”

I was too tired to make a reply and, faster than I expected, gentle hands were pulling my blood-soaked gloves away from my face.  

“What happened to you?” Quinn asked, pressing the end of his coat to my bleeding nose. 

I opened my mouth to explain, but treacherous sobs escaped me. Quinn pulled me close and hugged me until I was able to control myself. 

“I—I was jumped. By three girls from school.” I managed. Quinn helped me to my feet. “What are you doing here? I thought you went home with Eliza.” 

Looking past the blood and tears blurring my vision, I could see Quinn’s face fall. 

“I shouldn’t have gone with her, even if it was to make a stupid point.” Quinn whispered, wiping tears from my eyes. “I waited for you at your house, but you never showed up. I thought something was wrong so I came to greet you…” His eyes widened when he took in the rest of my appearance. “We need to get you to a hospital.” 

“No!” I protested, wobbling on my feet. “No. I don’t want my parents to find out.” 

“Really, Z?” Quinn’s reply was harsh. “They’re going to notice your face.” 

“I’ll say I tripped. Into a pole or something.” When I noticed the expression on his face, my pleas became more frantic. “Please, Quinn. Please. I can’t let them know about this.” 

His eyes eyed me with doubt, but I knew I had won the argument when he wrapped an arm around my waist and helped me hobble down the street. 

“You’re almost home.” Quinn voiced sometime later. He didn’t sound particularly happy. 

“Thank you.” I managed around the swelling on my face. 

“Don’t th—” Quinn started. “Never mind. I’m just glad I was the one who found you.” 

“Me too.” I mumbled. 

We soon arrived at my house, which was still vacant. Quinn took my house key and let us inside. After we managed to take off all my layers of clothing, and for me to change into a loose tank-top and pair of shorts, I could barely move my body. 

Quinn headed to the medical cabinet my father always kept stocked and came back with an assortment of different goods. “Here,” he said, ordering me to sit in a chair. “Tip your head back and hold this to it.” 

I did as he asked and, once we got the bleeding to stop, we moved on to the rest of my body. I kept saying I was fine, but in the end, Quinn got his way. I was standing in the middle of my dining room while he was inspecting my ribs. 

I shouldn’t have felt as embarrassed around him as I did, but his hands were so gentle and he was being so kind. I winced when he pressed against the bottom left side of my ribcage. 

“They don’t feel broken but…I think you should take a few days off from school and rest.” Quinn told me after we finished bandaging my injured body. 

We were sitting together on the sofa in my living room, pretending to watch TV. 

“I can’t do that, Q.” I whispered, leaning my head back against the sofa. 

“Why not?” he demanded. 

I opened one eye and stared at him. “Those girls will think they’ve won. I won’t let them think that. I won’t give them that pleasure.” 

When he didn’t respond, I figured he was okay with it, so I didn’t think anything of it when I felt a presence over my body. I opened my eyes in surprise. Quinn was leaning over me, his face inches from my own. “What are you doing?” I demanded; voice weak. 

Quinn’s eyes gentled. “I’m sorry, Z. I shouldn’t have left you. I promise I’ll protect you. It’s what best friends do.” 

I started to sit up, but Quinn rested a firm hand against my shoulder, keeping me in place. “I don’t understand, Quinn.” 

“Just once…I’d like to kiss you.” he whispered, leaning closer. 

I was frozen in place. I didn’t know what to do. But the moment his lips pressed against mine, I lost to his will yet again. His lips were warm and soft and inviting. And they parted just for me.  

It was such a gentle first kiss that I found myself falling for him a second time. I tried to stop myself. It was no use. My first kiss was something special. And it had been with Quinn. 

When he finally pulled away, I could see resolve in his eyes. I knew what he was going to say even before he said it. But I needed to hear it lest I let my imagination carry me away. 

“We…can’t, Z. I’m sorry.” Quinn whispered, kissing the top of my head. 

“I understand.” I don’t understand. “Thank you for finding me, Q. I’m glad we’re best friends.” 

Quinn met my eyes and smiled a warm smile. “Me too.” 

After that dreadful first of December, everything seemed to go back to normal. My parents never realized I had been jumped and Quinn kept me safe. No one else bothered me after that day and all the rumors stopped. 

All the while, I had to endure watching Quinn and Eliza kiss each other. The pit of my stomach clenched in pain every time I saw it. I always had to pretend it was a stomach ache that got me sick.  

Every time I thought back to our kiss, it made me wonder if my first kiss…had been Quinn’s first kiss. 

Why did he even bothered if he was just planning to date Eliza despite kissing me. 

Letting out a sigh, I turned my attention back to my ‘hobby’ as I like to put it. After my body healed, I demanded I enroll in some type of class that taught me basic self-defense and offense. My parents thought I was trying to become stronger, but in reality, those girls had terrified me and I was not about to become a victim of abuse again. 

Eighth grade ended with no other incident.

Me and Quinn continued staying best friends.