â C H L O E â
Every coin has two sides, and only when we flip it do we see the full picture. It's a reminder that nothing is ever just one thing or the other-it has different perspectives. But in the end, it's up to us to decide which side we choose to focus on.
A heavy silence filled the room after Quinn left, pressing down on me like a weight. I stood there, speechless, realizing just how wrong I'd been. All this time, I blamed Quinn for Elise's injuries, and now guilt was washing over me in waves. How would I ever face Quinn again?
"Chloe?" Elise's soft voice pulled me from my thoughts. "What happened back at the dorm? I heard you shouting when Quinn called."
I took a shaky breath, struggling to keep my tears in check. "I made a mistake, Elise," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I thought Quinn was the one who did this to you."
Elise's words broke through the haze of guilt clouding my mind. "She really has a bad temper at times. But honestly, Chloe, Quinn is not a bad person." She smiled softly, and I could feel some of my doubt slipping away.
She's not a bad person, I thought to myself, repeating Elise's words in my mind.
Suddenly, a memory resurfaced-one I had nearly forgotten. That strange encounter at the coffee shop a while back. A woman had stopped Quinn, but she'd called her by a different name...
I remembered Scarlet stepping in, quick to correct the woman before she could even get past the door. "Her name is Quinn. I think you really have mistaken her for someone else," she said, sounding almost protective.
The woman wasn't convinced. "Uh-uh! That's a face I will never forget. That ain't who you ever called Quinn-that's Jacoby."
Scarlet's curiosity got the better of her, and she pressed further. "Are you one of the women she hooked up with before? Did she also... slit your skin?" she asked, her tone nosy and a bit too blunt.
The woman's reaction was immediate, her voice rising as she replied. "Say what now, girl? Sounds like you're saying Jacoby is some kind of torturer or what? Jacoby ain't gonna do that to no one. She ain't a bad person."
Those words echoed in my mind now, blending with Elise's. Maybe there was more to Quinn than I had allowed myself to see...
"I know she has a lot of darkness within her," she said, her voice gentle. "But that's only one side of who she is. She doesn't talk about her life with me-or with anyone, I guess. But I can see and feel that, deep down, there's another side of Quinn that no one else knows about."
I took a slow breath and approached her, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "You told me earlier that you made a deal with her. Is that the same deal she makes with the other students on campus?"
Elise let out a small, soft chuckle. "Oh! I guess I can see why you'd think she did this to me."
"But... didn't you?" I asked, the curiosity gnawing at me.
She paused, looking down and fidgeting with her hands. "We did something, yes." Her words made my heart race, but she quickly clarified. "But-not in the way you're thinking." I furrowed my brow, waiting.
"She didn't touch me. She actually refused to. Instead, she taught me how to... well, touch myself," she added, a hint of embarrassment in her voice. My jaw nearly dropped at the revelation. "She said she could never do it to me." Elise continued, smiling at the memory. "She didn't like the idea of me hooking up with someone random either. Can you believe she told me that, if I want to do it, I need to make sure it's with someone I feel connected to?" Elise let out a soft laugh, a mixture of amusement and fondness.
A warmth spread through me as I listened. It was as if Quinn had built walls around herself, yet somehow, with Elise, there was a softness-an unexpected gentleness that hinted at a side not many saw. She had shown Elise care in a way I hadn't thought possible.
She's not a bad person. The words kept echoing in my mind
I let out a heavy sigh, the guilt of how I had shouted at Quinn and accused her so harshly weighing on me. "I feel awful for yelling at her like that," I admitted, glancing over at Elise, whose eyes softened as she took my hand.
Her gaze shifted to my neck, her brows knitting with concern. "Did she...?" she began, but I shook my head right away.
"No, Elise, it's not what you're thinking," I replied, wanting to reassure her. "I thought she'd hurt you, and I... I told her to slit my skin instead, as long as she left you alone." The memory was still fresh, and I could feel Elise's hand tighten around mine as her eyes welled up with tears.
"Hey, don't worry," I squeezed her hand in return, managing a faint smile. "It didn't hurt."
Elise wiped away a tear, sniffling. "It's just... I never thought anyone on campus would care for me like this. Earlier, Quinn was furious when she saw what happened to me. And now you-you actually risked yourself to protect me. It means so much," she murmured, her voice shaky with emotion.
I felt a warmth in my chest, seeing how much Elise appreciated it. "You don't deserve to go through this alone, Elise," I said softly.
As the room settled, a soft knock echoed from the door. Before we could react, a disheveled woman entered. Her makeup was smudged, tears streaked down her face, and her hands shook visibly.
"Ashley," Elise whispered, her face paling-the fear in her eyes was unmistakable. I could feel the tension in the air as my blood began to boil again. Instinctively, I stood in front of Elise, glaring at the woman with a protective rage.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" I demanded, clenching my fists. Ashley dropped to her knees, catching me off guard.
Her swollen lips trembled as she struggled to form words. "I'm so sorry, Elise," she choked out. "I'm really sorry. I'm a horrible and desperate bitch. I deserve to rot in hell. I deserve whatever punishment you think is right. Just... please forgive me. Hurt me back if you want," she pleaded, her eyes wet and full of remorse.
Elise took a deep breath, her voice soft but steady. "I just want you to leave, Ashley. Please don't bother me anymore."
I turned to her, shocked. "That's it? After everything she did to you?" I asked, disbelief and frustration tightening my voice.
Elise nodded gently. "She's suffered enough, I think." She looked at Ashley once more, her gaze firm. "Please, just go."
Ashley staggered to her feet and took a step toward Elise. Before she could get any closer, I blocked her way. "That's close enough," I warned, fixing her with a hard stare.
She reached into her pocket and placed a small coin at the corner of the bed. "Quinn told me to give this to you," she whispered. "Please, let her know I did." Her voice broke, and she looked down, shame flooding her face as she backed away. She cast one last look at Elise, then turned and slowly walked out, leaving a heavy silence in her wake.
After Ashley left, Elise grabbed her phone, setting it to speaker mode. We listened as the other line rang several times before it was answered.
"Quinn?" Elise's voice was steady, but I could hear the hint of nervousness beneath it.
"How are you, El?" Quinn's voice came through, low and weary.
"Ashley came and gave me a coin," Elise said, her tone cautious.
"Is that all that she fucking did?!" Quinn's voice rose slightly, frustration creeping in.
"She said sorry," Elise continued, trying to keep the conversation calm.
"And?!" Quinn pressed for more details, her frustration palpable.
"And she was crying and looked like a mess," Elise said, glancing at me for support.
"Did she tell you she's a horrible, desperate bitch who deserves to rot in hell?" Quinn's tone was fierce.
Elise's eyebrows furrowed as she nodded. "She did."
"Good. Keep my coin there for now. Just give it back when you get back here. Have some rest, El." Quinn's voice softened, becoming more comforting. Before Elise could respond, Quinn hung up.
Elise shook her head, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "I bet you haven't seen this other side of her yet?" She looked at me, curiosity in her eyes. I shook my head, a smile forming on my lips.
No, I hadn't seen this side of Quinn yet-the side that deeply cared for someone, that was willing to protect fiercely. It was a revelation that changed everything I thought I knew about her. Quinn wasn't just a force of nature; she was someone who could inflict pain on those who had truly wronged her friends, not just anyone at random.
She had flipped the coin, revealing a different side-a side of compassion and loyalty that not many got to witness. In that moment, I understood that there was so much more to her than met the eye.