â Q U I N N â
Just like love, people say favors should be given freely, never demanding anything in return. When they are, they create a bond that money can't buy. Doing someone a favor doesn't mean they owe you. Kindness is not a transaction; it's a virtue. Yet it's funny how some people's so-called 'friends' forget them when they don't need any more favors. That's why I don't do favorsâI make deals. I give you something, you give me something back. Maybe that's why I'm not capable of real love. I can't just give freely; there's always a price, a condition, some kind of exchange.
And I know there's only one person in my life who never asked me for anything in return. Someone who gave me everythingâlove, warmth, genuine smiles, comforting wordsâsomeone who never judged me. Someone whose presence felt like home, whose kindness was endless. Now, all I have left are memories that ache. I think about her painfully, yearning to hold her, to hear her voice just one more time, even if just for a fleeting second.
The clattering sound from the kitchen behind me jolted me back to reality. I had been staring blankly at the computer screen again. I turned to see Elise, startled, as some kitchenware slipped from her hands. I had cooked dinner tonight, so she was in charge of the dishes. For a moment, I noticed something unusual in her eyesâthey weren't the usual sparkling eyes I was used to.
When she caught me staring, I squinted a bit. She responded with a half-smile, which was rare for her. Elise was usually so upbeat, always finding the silver lining even during tough times. I don't think I've ever seen her cry; her optimism was unshakeable. But tonight, something felt off. I sensed there was something bothering her. Still, I didn't press for details. Instead, I returned her smile and shifted my focus back to the computer. Enough zoning out; I needed to finish this coding program for my AI system soon.
I had been slumped in front of the computer for three hours now, my shoulders and arms almost numb from the nonstop typing of codes. Suddenly, I heard Elise's door creak open, followed by the sound of her footsteps as she sat down on the couch just behind me.
"Quinn?" she broke the silence that hung in the living room. I hummed in response, my fingers still moving over the keyboard. "Can I make a deal with you?"
The clacking of keys stopped abruptly as my fingers froze mid-typing. I quickly turned my head around, my brow furrowed as I looked at her. She was staring down at the floor, both hands resting on her lap, there's a hint of uncertainty in her posture.
Still sitting in my chair, I turned my body to face her completely. "What's wrong, El?" I asked, searching her eyes for the truth. She lifted her head and flashed me a smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Nothing, I'm just curious about what the women have been talking about around campus."
Despite her cheerful demeanor, I could tell something was bothering her. I squinted my eyes, trying to figure out what was really on her mindâespecially since she was asking to make a deal out of the blue. This wasn't like her at all. "El, what's wrong?" I repeated, my tone now more serious.
She made that playful face with her bubbly cheeks, trying to brush it off. "Never mind. I was just joking!" With that, she stood up and headed toward the kitchen, but I wasn't ready to let it go. I stood up and followed her, grabbing her arm gently to turn her around.
That's when I saw her eyes, brimming with tears she had been trying to hold back. My eyes widened at the sight, and I instinctively cupped her face in my hands. "El, tell me what's wrong?" My voice rose slightly, filled with concern for her.
"I just can't seem to fit in at this campus, Quinn. Everyone mocks me for being your roommate for years but still haven't hooked up with anyone until now." Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"That's ridiculous, El," I replied, shaking my head. "You know I never see you the way I see those sluts, right? They're pathetic excuses for womenâdesperate and shallow. You're nothing like them."
I could feel my voice calming, but inside, I was seething with anger. Those whores were getting into her head, and it made my blood boil. "You're beautiful, charming, and the sweetest person I know, El. Hooking up is something you don't deserve." I looked deep into her eyes, hoping she could see the sincerity in my words.
"I guess I needed to see for myself if that changes anything," she said, her voice laced with hesitation. "But it's okay, Quinn. You don't need to. Actually, you were my backup. I never really wanted to ask you." She attempted to mask her feelings again with a half-hearted smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Backup? What the hell are you talking about?" My curiosity was piqued, and a sense of dread washed over me.
Elise sighed heavily, her eyes drifting away as if she were gathering her thoughts. "I asked Warren from your department." My heart sank, and my eyes widened in shock.
"El! Have you gone mad?!" I raised my voice, and she flinched slightly. "Warren is going to screw anyone who asks him, without a second thought!" Even though Warren was my buddy, I knew all too well that he is a boy bitch. I didn't even realize my grip on her arm was tightening.
"I need this, Quinn. I need it to see for myself," she said, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I honestly would prefer a friend to do it with, but I didn't want things to get weird. So don't worry about it. I promise it will be fine."
Frustration swirled inside me, making it hard to breathe. I felt a mixture of anger and sadness that she felt the need to do something so risky just to prove a point to those bitches. It wasn't fair that she had to put herself in a situation like that.
"No, El! I won't let you have your first time with Warren! Have you ever even tried to touch yourself before? You don't know what you're signing up for!" My voice was rising with frustration.
"No, Quinn. I haven't. I've never experienced being kissed, having sex, or even touching myself. I feel pathetic," she confessed, her words cutting deep. My jaw clenched tighter, and my grip on her hand tightened more as I felt anger bubbling inside me at how she was viewing herself. Elise gently grasped my hand that was holding her other arm. When I realized how hard I was squeezing her, I quickly let go, regret washing over me. She took a step back, her expression hurt, and I could see she was about to retreat to her room, but I wasn't ready to let her go.
I moved closer, gently pushing her against the kitchen counter, causing her to gasp in surprise. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting out a deep sigh to calm my racing heart before opening them again. When I looked into her eyes, I saw sadness and insecurity reflected back at me. "I'm doing you a favor, El. So please don't take this the wrong way."
Elise's eyes widened in shock, and I could see tears welling up. "Quinn," she said softly, almost pleading.
"I need you to follow my lead exactly and not make a big deal out of this, okay? Do you understand me?" My voice trembled with uncertainty as I tried to hold myself together. Tears began to fall from her eyes as she struggled to process my words. "El?" I whispered, reaching up to wipe away her tears, and she slowly nodded.
I took both of her hands in mine, squeezing them gently, and a thick silence fell over us, heavy with anticipation. "Aren't you supposed to slit the skin on my neck first? That's how it worked with you, right?" Elise broke the stillness, her voice trembling with uncertainty.
I shook my head firmly. "No. We're not doing that." Confusion flickered across her face, and I could see she was trying to make sense of my response.
"We're doing this differently. Just relax and follow my lead, okay?" I spoke slowly, trying to infuse my words with reassurance. A small smile crept onto her lips, and she nodded, seeming to gather her courage.
Taking a step closer, I gently swept her hair back from her face. My hand cradled her chin, tilting it to the side while my other hand rested softly on her waist. As I leaned in closer to her neck, my lips brushed against her soft skin, eliciting a heavy gasp from her. Encouraged, I began planting soft kisses along her shoulder and neck, feeling her grip tighten on my upper arms as she adjusted to the sensation.
My hand, resting gently on her waist, began to move slowly down, finding its way to the waistband of her pajamas. I leaned in closer, my lips brushing against her ear as I whispered softly, "Hold my hand down there with your right hand, El." As I spoke, my teeth grazed her earlobe, causing her breath to quicken in response. She nodded, hesitantly grasping my hand that was resting on her waistband.
I placed my hand on top of hers, guiding it gently to rest on her belly. Slowly, I led her hand as we slipped inside her pajamas, moving our hands further down until we reached her inner thigh. There, her palm rested against her panties, right on her pussy.
"I'm sorry, El. I won't touch you," I said softly. "But I'll help you understand what it's like to touch yourself. That's the best I can do for now. After this, if you still decide to hook up with someone, I'll respect your choice. I just want you to experience this first. Think about whether you want to feel this way again with a random person or someone you truly connect with. You understand, right?"
She tilted her head to meet my gaze, and I noticed her expression had softened, the tension in her face easing. "I understand, Quinn. Thank you," she replied, offering me a sincere smile that lit up her features.
I guided her hand gently between her thighs, encouraging her to move it up and down, slowly rubbing her palm against her pussy beneath her panties. I pressed my hand against hers, adding a bit of pressure. Her breath hitched with the friction as she closed her eyes, lost in the sensation. I tilted her head to the side again, planting more soft kisses along her neck and shoulder. "That's it, El. You're doing great," I whispered, trying to comfort her as she began to explore this new feeling.
I gently guided our hands into her underwear, pausing right on her clit. With a delicate touch, my middle finger began to stroke her finger softly, showing her what needs to be done next. "Now you try doing that same thing on your clit," I encouraged her, moving my hand to grip her wrist gently. As I guided her, she followed my lead, teasing herself. Her back arched instinctively, and a soft moan escaped her lips. "Good! Keep going, tease it more," I whispered into her ear, feeling a rush of warmth at her reaction. Her breaths grew heavier, and her soft moans mixed with the tingling sensation as she explored herself.
"Quinn," she whispered, her voice trembling with pleasure. "You're doing really great, El," I reassured her, gently nibbling on her earlobe. "Now, move your hand further down," I instructed, guiding her wrist with my hand.
"Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed, and I couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction, sensing that she had just realized how wet she was.
"Rub your fingers slowly down your folds. Spread it all over your pussy," I encouraged her, and she immediately followed my instructions without hesitation. Her moans began to grow louder as she spread her wetness across her pussy. I leaned my head back for a moment to see her face; she was lost in the moment. Her eyes were tightly shut, lips slightly parted, and her chest rose and fell with each heavy breath.
Feeling that she was ready to take things up a notch, I leaned in closer to her cheek and whispered to her, "Now slowly slide your middle finger inside." She licked her lips and nodded, my hand still holding her wrist, guiding her.
"Oh shit!" she gasped as her finger slipped inside her.
"Good girl! Now move your finger in and out," I instructed gently. Her back arched again as she began to pleasure herself. "Keep going, El," I encouraged, my eyes locked onto her face. I noticed her biting her lower lip, trying hard to stifle any sounds as she surrendered to the sensations.
"Now go ahead and slide your ring finger inside too," I instructed her. Her head fell back instantly, her mouth slightly parting as pleasure washed over her. I instinctively caught the back of her neck with my hand to steady her.
"Fuck, Quinn!" she cried out, a mixture of a scream and a moan escaping her lips as she caught her breath.
"You're doing really great. Go on and thrust your hand faster." And just like that, she took control. I didn't need to guide her anymore; she started moving at her own pace. "Push it deeper, El," I urged, watching as she squirmed, lost in her own rhythm. Her knees began to shake uncontrollably, and I wrapped my arm around her back to steady her as she rode the wave of pleasure.
Her lower lip was nearly swollen from her biting, almost to the point of bleeding, as she tried to suppress her sounds. "Don't hold back. Scream if you need to. It's okay," I gently brushed my thumb against her lower lip, and she finally loosened her bite, allowing moans to escape freely. "Good girl. Now go ahead and fuck yourself harder and faster," I softly commanded as I watched her surrender to the pleasure.
Her eyes began to roll back as she moaned, louder and louder, her nails digging into my skin. I let her hold on to me, knowing she was close. "Quinn!" she gasped, calling out my name, her knees starting to give way, shaking uncontrollably.
Sensing she was on the verge, I leaned in, pressing gentle kisses along her neck. "Let go, El. Let me hear you come," I whispered, my breath warm against her ear before sucking softly on her skin. Her moans filled the quiet room as her hand moved faster, and then suddenly, a loud, intense moan escaped her as she finally gave in. Her grip tightened on my arm, and her eyes rolled back further as she reached her climax. Her whole body trembled in satisfaction, and I held her steady, my hand supporting her back and the nape of her neck as she caught her breath.
When her eyes opened, there was a new lightness in them. She let out a soft laugh, one that reached her eyes, before resting her head on my shoulder. I gently stroked her back, offering a reassuring touch.
"You did really well, El," I murmured softly, my voice full of warmth. She wrapped her arms around me, holding on tight.
"Thank you, Quinn," she whispered, her voice still trembling with emotion.
"I'm sorry, that's all I can do for you," I replied. But she shook her head, still resting against my shoulder.
"You did more than I could've asked for."
I held her there, caressing her hair and rubbing her back, staying close as she regained her strength. For a while, we just stood there, letting the moment settle.