I've been a fan of this book for a very long time; I have fond memories of reading it in middle school and now as a college student, this is still the series I return to in times of stress. Given the nationwide quarantine, I re-read it once again and felt the need to finally put some words to the page. My goal is to take some of the most pivotal (or interesting) moments of the book and tell them from an angle that shares Quince's feelings more. Some of these include original dialogue but a lot of the scenes are straight from the book, only extrapolated what Quince was going through.

I also recommend the short stories on Tera Lynn Child's website for additional Quince & Lily! She has one that explains how they met:)

And, I'm still stuck in the old days of fanfiction where I feel like I have to iterate: I don't own any of these characters, the setting (or even a lot of the dialogue), this is just a creative outlet for me that I hope someone else out there can enjoy.

Pg. 22 when Quince interrupts Lily trying to ask Brody

Quince was familiar with Lily's schedule. After all, ever since that first day at school where she laid eyes on Brody, much it was carefully crafted around his. News team in the morning, swim team manager on select afternoons and weekends, gym class with him. Her day was curated to match his. Sure, he'd already spoken to her twice that morning, once on the phone (wherein he confirmed his suspicions that she wanted to attend the Spring Fling with Brody) and then once to bring the newspaper over, but now he was following up. Not only was he trying to prevent Lily from going with Bennett to the dance, but from the emotional pain of getting the certain rejection that she would be.

He arrived at school on his motorcycle earlier than usual, gathering himself and walking down the hallway toward the newsroom. Quince was just outside the hallway when he overheard Lily's voice, somewhat quietly, anxiously speaking. He heard the word 'dance' and realized exactly what impeccable timing he had. Quince barely felt the twinge in his chest, the jealousy gripping his heart before he spoke. "Well, well, well," he started, looking between the two of them. He barely registered that she was wearing a new shirt since earlier that morning. "You two lovebirds should just hook up and get it over with. All this tension gives me hives."

As soon as Quince finished speaking, his eyes looked over to meet with Lily's. As she blushed, Quince couldn't help but smirk a little. She was so cute when she was embarrassed.

"Good one, Fletcher," Brody answered with a laugh. He elbowed Lily and shook his head in disbelief, "As if Lil would have any interest in a ladies' man like me."

Quince only briefly glanced back at Brody; really, he was pretty insignificant to Quince. He had no care for Brody at all, in any way. He was a self-absorbed jackass and that much was clear from what he knew about Courtney and their overall relationship. Lily had so much more to her. The way she cared about people, and her fishy terminology and the way they just communicated. Quince felt that click with her, every time. If it weren't for Lily's infatuation, he would be completely apathetic toward Brody. Except, instead, he was envious of the attention she gave him. Quince crossed his arms and looked directly at Lily, unwavering, determined. Her green eyes simply met him right back, each of them communicating without a word.

"Yeah," she laughed in that fake, "haha" sort of way. "As if."

Once Brody asked Lily to reiterate her question, Quince couldn't hold the smirk he felt as he continued to look right at her. Go ahead, princess. He's not looking for a date, but you're welcome to try. Even though the thought was trapped in his head, Lily received the message loud and clear.

Still maintaining eye contact, Lily took a few moments before she replied. "I'll, uh, ask you later."

Once Brody was far enough down the hallway, Lily launched out her chair toward Quince, reaching her fists out at him. Quince reached his hands up with ease, grabbing her wrists to hold her at arms' length. "Aaaaargh! Why? Why do you enjoy ruining my life?"

Quince held her back with ease, looking at her, bemused. He couldn't help the smile on his face, even more genuine now. He couldn't help how precious it was to see her so aggravated and heated at him, and she made it so easy.
"Chill, princess. I just saved you from making a huge mistake," he said, raising his eyebrows at her. Lily completely perked up at that.

"Excuse me?"

No reason to beat around it. "Asking Benson to the dance just then-"

"Bennett."

"-would have gotten you a big fat no," Quince finished, watching her face carefully. Her face held confident and mad for a few moments before her entire demeanor shifted, slumping. Her eye contact drifted completely away from him, looking down at the white tile floors. Quince's eyebrows furrowed as he looked at her face, her expression turning rather pensive. He still held her wrists as he replayed what he'd just said. It took several moments before he realized the way she'd interpreted it. Does she really think that low of herself? And me?

"Don't do that," he spoke up quietly. "Don't twist my words."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Lily was quieter, too, but still with a sharpness to her voice.

"I wasn't saying you have no chance with him," he let go of her and took a step back from her personal space. "You're too good for a loser like him." He spoke earnestly, believing every word of it.

"Then what were you saying?"

Quince took a breath in, stepping away from Lily to walk across the room. As much as he hated to know this much about Bennett, he had a better understanding of what he was like than Lily did. "Asking him to the dance is not the way to catch his attention."

"Oh, really. What do you know about it?"

"I know," Quince sunk down into one of the rolling desk chairs, placing his palms on the armrest. "That he's not looking for a date." Courtney had been venting to him just the other week about Brody breaking up with her. Now, being her friend was becoming useful. Lily didn't need to ask him and deal with the rejection.

"And just how would you know that?" Lily asked, staring hard at him.

"Courtney."

"Right," Lily dropped into another chair across the room from him. "Why would she tell you anything?"

Partly pleased with himself for his insider knowledge, and being able to use it for his own advantage, Quince stretched his legs out in front of him. He stacked the heel of one boot over the other. "Some girls actually enjoy talking to me."

"Only ones with jellyfish for brains," she mumbled.

"Anyway," Quince started up again, only barely registering her fishy vernacular. "When Bens-" Lily started to jump to his defense, and Quince reminded himself that he was here to help her. He wanted to make it easier on her. "When Bennett broke up with her, he said he wanted to be single for a while, taste the fruits of freedom and all that garbage. He'll be going stag to the dance."

When Lily rolled her eyes, Quince couldn't help himself. For a short second he forgot how stubborn she was. He replied quickly, "Ask him, then."

"I will."

Quince clenched his jaw, keeping his tone flat. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

He remained seated as Lily stood with determination, putting her backpack over one shoulder. "I won't."