Angels Never Just Fade Away

[Quinn Wiley]

“Hey, I’ve got the pictures, you wanna see?”

There was no other way to greet Lucy James, really. Even when she was not sitting here waiting for him. Where was she here anyway? Probably just slacking off or relaxing. Or just getting over a drug trip. He never really knew with her. But he didn’t exactly care. That whole ‘live and let live’ mentality was still very much his. If she wanted to do drugs, even if somewhere inside of him he was not entirely agreeing with it, he never said anything about it. The fact he never joined her told her enough what he must think of it. Did she find him boring that he even quit smoking? But it was not like it was not a best choice for him. It had been pretty dumb to smoke with an ability such as his. He thought there was no other reason why he stopped.

He sat against the ground next to where she was. As he told her, he had pictures. They were in his hands right now. He finished editing the film he took with her while she was dancing and printed quite a few of the shots he took. He was not sure which ones she’d like the most but he made sure to put his favourites at the end. You have to finish with the best, right?

Whether she wanted to see or not, he was showing them to her. He didn’t realise how some might consider it as quite a change for him. He was not to the point of going after people to pick up a conversation. Neither would he be super talkative if someone tried that on him. But he knew Lucy and even if his return was rather recent, and that she was now further in her studies than he was, this fact allowed him to more easily go to her. Still, conversation might not be a lot more interesting than what she was used to, if she even remembered it. But he did ask her if he could take pictures of her while she danced. He tried to take every movement but it was not always easy to click the button before she moved. He didn’t ask her to slow down though, he got used to it. It was her practice after all.

“I kind of like this one,” he said as he showed one in particular. Okay, maybe not all of his favourites were at the end.

[Lucy James]

The surprise that moved across the power mimic's features as the familiar boy spoke up didn't last long. At first, her clear, blue eyes were wide, but quickly, she regained her composure and her surprised expression changed into a smirk that had a tinge of warmth to it. Lucy didn't have a lot of friends left that she'd gotten to know back in the days, but the few of those who had survived, she genuinely cared about. She wouldn't ever admit it out loud of course, but she had a feeling these people knew - deep down.

"I suppose I don't have a choice," she laughed, her blue eyes following Quinn as he moved to sit down in front of her. Leaning forward so she could peek over his shoulder, she looked at the various pictures he'd taken of her dancing. Quinn had always been talented, but it was obvious that he'd gotten much, much better over the years. She couldn't even muster up the will to say anything rude about them.

She was going soft.

Placing her chin against his shoulder, Lucy reached her hand down for the photo so she could hold it up closer. "I'm surprised it isn't something perverted," she mused, handing the photo back. "It's good. I like it. It really captures my good side too," she continued, the smile on her lips growing further as she sat back. "You're getting really good at this."

[Quinn Wiley]

There was something weird perhaps in seeing Quinn act like this. Three years and lots of closed door in his face had thought him that talking might not be all that bad. He still sucked at small talk but it was not exactly what he was about to do here. Besides, this was Lucy. Even if they had only resumed their kind of friendship, that guy really couldn’t have a clear one, they sort of worked it where they left it. Not that they could have done any differently, with how they were.

If someone had to be amazed anyway, it was Quinn and not about himself but Lucy. First of all, she was alive. She really was not the kind of person you would have been surprised to find out had died, through her vices or by the hand of someone else (certainly blaming her vices for it too). There was also the laugh that was not as cold as he would have remembered hers to be. But he couldn’t notice that because he was too busy showing pictures. And nothing else mattered when photography was involved. How could she not be even a tad curious anyway, considering she was the subject? It was impressive how many people could accept when you asked. Maybe he should have tried that a lot sooner.

He let her take the picture to examine it closer. This was the part he always dreaded the most. Even worse than asking people’s permission t take their picture. That moment when someone was judging. Inside, he was certain to be good. And at school, he can often console himself when someone might say something bad about them that they are no expert. But when even experts tell you it’s too ‘amateur’, you get crushed. “You weren’t doing that kind of dance,” he said, trying not to take any offense in what was most certainly a joke. Still, why people talked of dirty pictures around him? She had more to say anyway, and it chased away whatever he might have thought about. “If you want good side, how about this one? You look so serene it’s hard to believe it’s you.” He shuffled through some of the pictures he had to show the one he was talking about. She was focused yet at the same time, it was like she was totally letting go. And yes, when you were used to snarky Lucy, this one might look a little strange. Hey, they were still the same in the end. That included some meaningless bitching.

He shrugged when she told him he was good. “I hope next time they’ll see it too. If they even let me in to take a look at them first.” He was just so terrible at selling himself. He never thought it was so much about connections and personality. Models, maybe, but photographers? He turned his attention towards Lucy. “If you want to keep any, feel free.” It wasn’t like he couldn’t make copies.

[Lucy James]

She looked down at the picture he deemed as serene and a small smile formed on her lips. She nodded slowly, "Yeah," she said silently. She had to agree; she did look serene and it looked completely out of character. She could hardly believe it herself, but even Lucy had to admit that Quinn had caught her off guard in this picture. It was even strange to her. "You have a really good eye for this, Quinn," she spoke softly, almost too softly. She then handed the picture back and shrugged. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you found someone who'd shapeshifted into me, but I don't know of anyone who would want to."

She looked over at him, her smile vanishing as her facial expression turned serious. "Don't listen to them. You are good and shouldn't let whatever those idiots say make you feel like you're anything less." She didn't tell him often, but it wasn't any less true.

And she didn't exactly say those kind of things often.

"I'd love to," she said as she reached for the second picture he'd shown her and held it back up. "I'll take this one." It was a good shot. She liked the way she looked, because she looked so... Not her. She wouldn't admit that out loud, of course. She was still haunted by her many demons, but she'd decided to take everything one step at a time.

She deserved that much, right?

[Quinn Wiley]

There was a time when saying that Lucy could look serene would appear as highly unlikely. The chances she’d take it well too were highly unlikely. Well, perhaps a little less but he was certain he would have received some snarky comment instead of this agreement. It was the proof that they all changed from who they were in high school, even if they left that part of them not so long ago. A lot had changed around them, they couldn’t exactly remain the same person they used to be.

When she said he had a good eye, he couldn’t help but to add “There was a time you would have walked away for this. You did that before.” He didn’t know if it was because she was caught off guard by him taking her picture back then or if perhaps it was the fact he capture that side of her that had her leave him during the Spring Break but he remembered it. This might have been nothing to her but so little things happened to Quinn that he tended to remember such things as if they were really important. Then again, she said kissing him was like kissing a corpse so of course he’d remember it. “I don’t know. I might want to be you just to say whatever I want to people without the consequences,” he let out. She was known for being blunt, right? She at least knew how to put people in their place better than he ever could.

And now she was encouraging him. “Are you sure someone had not shapeshifted into you right now?” He never expected her to ever say he was talented. Saying it like this, yeah that was sort of like her, but the fact she said this was odd in itself. Because she was not the kind to compliment or encourage people. In a way, that meant a great deal, even if he knew her opinion mattered little in the industry. Because she just was not the kind to say something was nice when it was not.

He had no problem at all with her taking any of the pictures he showed her. She could even take a bunch. He still had them in his computer and could make copies whenever he wanted.

Now that this was done, silence came between them. Quinn never had problem with silence but it was a little awkward. “I guess that’s the moment when I ask how you’re doing and what you’ve done lately?” Or perhaps he could ask her which one out of the two of them was the most awkward at small talk.

[Lucy James]

"I know," she replied silently and looked over at the boy. "Guess time forces everyone to change." She didn't know at what point she'd mellowed down, but part of her was glad that she had. Life was much easier when you didn't think the entire world was out to get you. Laughing, Lucy leaned back and grinned; well, she still was very much blunt. "You should be very jealous about that," she teased. "I mean, being me is pretty grand," she added.

Again, the brunette laughed; she couldn't blame him for thinking that. She'd changed a lot and it seemed to catch most people by surprise. In fact, she was starting to enjoy leaving people wondering. "Who knows?" she said with a shrug. "Maybe I'm someone else. Maybe I'm myself."

Staring out at nothing, Lucy nodded slowly. "I've been good," she said slowly as she turned her gaze back at Quinn. "I've started taking school a lot more seriously and I'm focusing on dance." Dance had always been one of the good things in her life. It had been her saving grace and a way to get out her frustrations. She didn't know where she would have been without it. She supposed she could thank dancing for her still being alive, naturally, along with a few other things and people, but she wasn't about to go into detail. "How about yourself?"

[Quinn Wiley]

It was hard to tell when you yourself have changed. You live with yourself every day of your life, unless it was something major, you dealt through the change, the weeks sometimes even months of years it takes for that to happen. As a result, you don’t always feel like you’ve changed much. It was just the normal evolution of the person you used to be. But as Lucy admitted that time forced them to change, Quinn ended up wondering how much he had himself. He talked more, that was a fact. Other than that though? Maybe it was just his pessimistic side that claimed he was still very much the same. That sure was not something that changed over the course of time.

“If I was you, even just a little you, I bet I would be in the fashion industry now. I’d probably have a few restraining order too...” This was meant as a joke, of course, and Quinn eyed her with a faint smile, hoping she’d take it as such. He was still pretty sure though that, had he been as blunt as she was, he would have been able to smash any closed doors.

He noticed how amusing she found all of this. “You’re having too much fun out of this. There’s only you to have fun at people’s expense like that.” It was not like he really believed a shapeshifter took her appearance, she might not be a shifter’s first choice after all, but that statement sure made it clear that she was herself still. She changed but not too much. Not to the point he couldn’t recognize her. And it was a good thing, otherwise he’d worry she wouldn’t want him as a friend. And he already didn’t have a lot of those.

Still, the fact she did not mock him for going like everyone else... It was nice though and he listened. He supposed it was not very hard to take school more seriously since she never took it seriously to begin with. She found out something she wanted to do, is all. He nodded at that. And then the question went to him. “Oh, New York wasn’t so great. My aunt was trying to convince me to find a job instead, something easier than photography. Since I wasn’t too into that, she suggested I went to college, find something else that could interest me and will get me a job at the end of it. So I’m in communications.” He paused a moment after he said that and couldn’t help a laugh. He turned his head towards her after he said that. “Ironic, uh? Me, in communications. But I figured that was what I lacked. Of course, I’m still taking photography lessons too...” Like he’d give that up so easily! That was the first thing in his life in a long time that he found liking, he didn’t want to give it up. Otherwise, he might have well give up living.

[Lucy James]

Laughing at his words, Lucy couldn't quite keep the warm smile off of her lips. "If I still had my old contacts, I'd help you out, but," she began, her smile fading. "I didn't exactly leave on the best terms." It wasn't a lie. Far from it, actually. She'd bailed on that life - for a reason. She had left it all behind and burned every single bridge she'd ever made for herself in that world.

"Yeah, I guess I am," she said, her voice a little distant. She'd changed. She knew that. And she couldn't really blame people for reacting the way they did. She'd been less than kind towards Quinn. In fact, at times she'd even been cruel. She'd picked and poked at him for her own amusement and... For the first time ever, Lucy actually felt bad. "Hey look," she began, casting her glance down. "I, uhm.." She didn't even know where to begin. "Forget it."

She remained silent as he spoke. She nodded here and there and even did the polite "ah" and "ooh" at the right times. She found herself caring more about he said than what she'd ever done before. Most likely, anyways. "Don't ever give up on your dream, Quinn," she said, looking over at him. "You're too talented." She didn't drop her gaze and instead held his for as long as he'd let her. "Just because you failed once, doesn't mean it's all over. There's always a second chance to be found. Trust me; I know."

She knew that all too well.

[Quinn Wiley]

At least Lucy didn’t take it the wrong way. Then again, it was the kind of comment she’d spat at people’s face, whether she appreciated them or not. It only made sense she received the same. At the very least, it would just be payback. Although Quinn didn’t say it to hurt her and her laughter proved she got it. She suggested to help him, or t least hinted that she could have, had she not ruined the relationships she had in there a long time ago. “It’s ok. I had a foot through the door before but...” He stopped. It is never easy to admit one’s flaws. “I’m not really good with people. Need to work on that.” He looked down at the pictures. Working on his people skills. It seemed as doable as climbing some mountain to skydive his way down. No, actually, it wasn’t. Because skydiving scared him. People didn't. He just found it hard to chat with them and even more to sell himself. When you’re negative by nature, it’s kind of hard to focus on your qualities and not your flaws.

Quinn turned his head to look at her, a puzzled expression on his face as she started to say something only to drop it. He frowned, waiting a moment but decided to, as she asked him, forget it. He did remember the picking she did on him and the poking for her own amusement. Of all the people he knew though, she was not the one who was the worst. He still remembered her comparing kissing him to kissing a corpse though and while it remained in his memory, he would argue he went past that. He didn’t want to think he was holding it against her, even if he was a little.

Quinn was not really good with people staring at him. He would never win a staring game of his life. And to prove it, he ended up turning his gaze away as she kept looking at him. He remained silent for a moment. He didn’t want to give up on his dream, that was true. He often felt like he was chasing a dream though, one he’d never achieve, but it was one of those few things that made him happy. For that reason, he didn’t want to just let go. “Are you looking for one? A second chance.” She was speaking of it and claiming she knew all about those. Maybe she was looking for one too. Or maybe it was more like a third or fourth chance in her case.

[Lucy James]

She thought about his question; was she looking for a second chance? Did she even care, even now? She wasn't entirely sure. It was a hard question to answer, especially when you didn't really trust yourself. Lucy had come to terms with her past and what remained in her presense. She had accepted that her life had turned out the way it had mainly because of the choices she'd made. She had done a lot of things she regretted, but then again, who hadn't?

"I don't know," she said truthfully. "I don't really give those kind of things much thought, you know?" She looked over at Quinn and shrugged. She wasn't sure what else there was to say, so she fell silent instead.

She looked over the school yard, watching the various people mill about. "You know," she said suddenly after a moment of silence. "You were never that bad of a kisser," she looked at him as she spoke. "I just figured I'd let you know." She even offered him the smallest of smiles as a sign of her sincere apology. It was more the fact that he hadn't kissed her back, which naturally meant that she couldn't judge how good or bad he was at kissing.

But she'd also been quite the little shithead back then, who far too much enjoyed hurting other people.

[Quinn Wiley]

Lucy probably had her second a long time ago so the appropriate term was more like another chance. Still, she was the one who brought it up and it led him to think maybe she wanted it for herself too. He didn’t know where she wanted people to give her another chance but he could guess a few reasons why she’d ask for one. Now, the question was whether or not the two of them were worthy of one.

He had a small nod, not surprised at all that she was not thinking much about it. She was a doer, at least more than he was, she probably kept going on in her life claiming she earned the right to try again. “It would help if you knew if you wanted a second chance and who to ask it from,” he said as she fell silent. Quinn thought he’d have plenty of opportunities for another chance. There were so many designers, models, modelling agencies and fashion magazines that it would take time before he was done knocking at all their doors. Then, if that still didn’t work, there were still other form of media, newspaper, websites, other magazines, touristic agencies... He only began, he had to remind himself that. “It’s also not easy to think you’ll get one when you’re a glass half-empty kind of guy,” he added. It was apparently an attitude he needed to correct. He wondered if college would help at that, although he had relatively small hopes. There was that attitude again.

He looked at her as she told him he had not been that bad of a kisser. He was a bit surprised about this apology. He didn’t do anything when she kissed him, he could understand why she would have mocked him then. “It’s ok, I know I wasn’t,” he assured, looking back at the scenery instead of her before saying those words. “But that’s one thing I managed to correct rather easily. Least, I think,” he said with a shrug. She may have stolen his first kiss but he had others. Maybe not a lot, but a few, enough to know better than just standing there and letting his lips touch the girl’s.

[Lucy James]

"Yeah," the brunette breathed. It gave her a headache, because it went against everything she'd once been. However, the next part had her laughing. She looked at him for a moment, studying his features. "I don't know. I've always thought your broodiness is part of your charm." She grinned; she enjoyed that about him, because he was one of the few people that wasn't constantly trying to safe her from herself. He just let her be and let her enjoy - if only just for a moment - being herself. Being her destructive, horrible self.

And it felt good.

"I'm glad," she said honestly. She didn't feel good about forcing anyone to do something they didn't want, nor was ready for. It might just have been a kiss, but it was forced nonetheless. Yet, he seemed to have gotten away from it in one piece, and that was a lot better than what she had - even if her case had been a little worse.

"Hey, I'll have to run - class starts in a moment," she said as she looked away. "But I'll see you around, yeah? I'd love to see more of your pictures."

[Quinn Wiley]

Quinn never heard it said quite like that. First, to have his personality being called ‘broodiness’ was sort of new to him, although not completely wrong. But to say it was part of his charm... Then again, Quinn was the kind of guy who wouldn’t be quite able to say what his charms were supposed to be. He didn’t quite like his hair, his stature. He didn’t think he was fast or strong or smooth or handsome or smart. His eyes, at best, might be striking. But you don’t want to be with someone only because of their eyes. Her comment left him rather speechless and puzzled. “Really?” Lucy may have a lot against her, the fact she was a bitch coming to mind, but she was beautiful and her headstrong attitude was also something he could say was ‘part of her charm’.

Was she glad that he got better at kissing or that he managed to kiss other girls? He was not sure. Quinn rarely understood women but Lucy was just even harder to get than any regular one. The moment he thought he got her figured out, she was doing something unexpected. He couldn’t tell what she was glad about here and he dared not guess. Mostly because he doubted she really cared whether or not he managed to kiss after her.

He couldn’t think about it too much though. She was saying she had to leave for class. “Oh, right,” he simply replied. It might sound like he was a little disappointed their time was cut short, and a part of him was, but it could also just be himself accepting his fate, as he always seemed to be. Whatever was thrown at him, Quinn was the kind to simply stand there and wait for it to be over. She wanted to see him again though. “Yeah sure,” he said, not wanting to sound like he’d like that too. “Maybe you can be my model again,” he added, although sounding like he wouldn’t mind if it weren’t the case. He would, but he couldn’t just let Lucy know he liked spending time with her.

[Lucy James]

"Really," she said softly with a smile; She honestly to god believed that because Quinn didn't realize it himself, it only made him more attractive. In some ways, she could even go as far as saying that they were similar. They didn't trust people or their agendas. They constantly walked through life, fighting everything good that ever happened to them. Or at least, that's how Lucy saw it. Maybe she was biased though, and desperately clinging to some kind of connection that didn't leave her feeling hollow on the inside.

The brunette's smile widened; "I'd love that." Then, she stepped forward and leaned in to place a chaste kiss on the left side of his jawbone. "See you then." Then, she placed a note with her number into his hand and stepped away, turning before he could throw a response at her.

And as she walked away, the brunette couldn't quite help the small hint of a sheepish smile forming on her lips.