(Quinn's point of view)
The rain flooded the grass plains where I stood. That didn't stop me from extending my arms and lifting my head up to the sky.
'Better' by Khalid blared from my headphones.
It was the start of my Spring semester. I had it all planned. I would sign up for a dance class, and join an honors co-ed fraternity. I would get my refund check, and remodel my room to welcome a new year, and a new mindset.
"A new start" is what I liked to call it.
I laughed bitterly at the irony of my situation.
The dark clouds seemed to mock me too. Too overwhelmed to think, I closed my eyes. So full of sorrow and sadness, I let out a blood screeching scream as the first tear slid down my cheek. In that moment, I lost myself.
After all of those years of practicing my front, I lost control over it. The tears didn't stop.
At some point, I jumped in a puddle because I remember being covered in mud. When I came back to myself, I was on my knees whispering, "help me" to no one in particular.
My iPod must have fallen because I was no longer listening to music. At that point, I didn't care to look for it either. It must have been awhile before I came back to my senses. I began to look around. Not a soul was on Douglass Campus.
I rubbed my swollen eyes, as I rose to my feet. Walking over to the ledge that overlooked Route 18, I began to ponder "what next?"
The mud ran down from my kneecaps to my ankles.
I didn't care.
I didn't care that I was out here alone, and that I didn't have a ride. I didn't care that I withdrew from Calculus last semester only to take it again this semester. I didn't care.
All I wanted was a tap on the shoulder and a quick sign that would let me know that I was on track.
I sighed heavily. My blonde hair stuck to my scull and all of a sudden, I was starting to feel cold.
I shivered involuntarily. A few minutes later, my teeth clattered. The rain steadied, and the wind whistled some. I glanced once more at the banks of the old Raritan that stood parallel to Route 18. I smirked before I turned around in search for my iPod.
What stopped me in my tracks was a sneeze nearby.
I froze.
I spun around, not knowing what to expect. Oddly enough, I didn't see anyone around. I knew I heard someone sneeze though.
"Hello?" I called. I walked towards the ledge again, hoping no one was hiding underneath it. It was too cold and wet to be outside hiding. I stood still, listening out for anything, but all I could hear was the rhythm of my own heartbeat.
I swallowed and stepped forward, in curiosity. I prayed silently that it was just another drunk and that this person wasn't suicidal.
I peeked down over the ledge and I saw a young girl with brown hair, crouched over so that she was hugging her knees. She wasn't facing me, so I backed away to think of a way to make her come up to me. I prayed to God that she wasn't upset like I was earlier. I returned to the ledge. Here goes nothing I thought.
"Miss?" I called gently. Her head snapped up.
"What are you doing down there?" She opened her mouth to say something when the thunder cut her off. She gasped the same time I jumped.
"Give me your hand." I reached over to lend her a hand. She studied me closely, then my hand in absolute silence. For the second time, the thunder rumbled. I cringed, and at the same time, she grabbed my arm with both hands. I pulled her up. I didn't realize I was pulling a woman about the same size as me, until I glanced at her crumbled form next to me.
"Are you alright?" I asked barely above a whisper. My voice was a little hoarse from screaming earlier.
She nodded, and rose to her full height the same time that I did. She was pretty. Her slender frame resembled that of an athlete. Her wavy brown locks complimented her almond shaped face, and her eyes, those Brown eyes seemed…sad? Fearful? I couldn't tell.
I took in her lack of clothes and shrugged off my jacket.
"Here." I wrapped her in the jacket. She immediately tensed up. Oops.
I stood back as she buttoned the jacket up. She smiled slightly. She seemed almost uncomfortable as she smiled, like she hadn't smiled in awhile. I wonder what's her story?
She looked down and stuffed her hands in the pockets.
"I'm Quinn." I said offering a shy smile. I knew she witnessed my breakdown earlier, but from the looks of it, she seems indifferent herself.
She hesitated before she replied, "Rachel." Rachel, that fits her.