The Metropolis Series #2: Quinn Beyond Bounds
8. In Control

THIS WAS THE PART where I would usually get knocked unconscious, then I would slip off into dreamland or replace myself in an alternate reality. Yes, my life was scary-annoying that way.

However, on that one fateful day during gym class, I can proudly say that something else happened. It was strange… but in a good way.

So, back to where we left off, a volleyball was coming toward me. Then, all of a sudden, it wasn’t. In fact, it froze mid-air just when it was about to hit me in the face. I looked around, and everyone else in the gym was like statues amidst their volleyball game. The coach was about to blow his whistle, Curtis’ eyes were wide open as he watched the ball come right at my face, and his warning had led everyone in the class to glance at my direction, their beady eyes peering at me.

I had stopped time again, just like at the arcade after Curtis had kissed me during our non-existent date. I half-expected some message from Harumi to appear on the glass windows, but nothing happened. I just sat there terrified, trying to think of a way out of this mess. I didn’t know how to control my powers, so when things like this would happen, my mind would instantly shut down, and I’d panic.

However, I found myself concentrating instead. If time resumed, the ball would come hurling straight at me, probably breaking my nose and specs. If I scooted out of the way, it would look weird. Where did I replace the time to move? There was only one option: to go back in time…

◀◀

“Don’t worry,” Curtis said. “I won’t tell anyone about it. Even Rachael. What happened between us stays between us. You can count on me for that.”

I blinked. Curtis was sitting right next to me on the bleachers. A bunch of students were giving us dirty looks. I had done it.

“Oh my God…” I mouthed.

Curtis wrinkled his nose. “Quinn? Is something wrong?”

A smile crept upon my lips. “I did it, Curtis. I did it!”

Without thinking, I gave Curtis a hug. I couldn’t contain my excitement. The sun was beating down through the little gymnasium windows, making it hotter than it was supposed to.

Curtis patted my back awkwardly. “Okay… did what?”

I decided to put my powers to the test again. I concentrated. I couldn’t tell Curtis about my powers; it would put him in danger again.

◀◀

“…Even Rachael. What happened between us stays between us. You can count on me for that.”

I did it again. Oh my God, I really did!

This time, though, I bit my lip. I looked up at Curtis with a hearty smile. “Thanks, Curtis. You’re the best.”

“Yeah, well, I couldn’t stand all this fighting, you know?” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Now that Bree’s back in the band, well, I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little worried. She and Rachael make a bad combination.”

I nodded. “So… Rachael has nothing against me, then?”

He shook his head, his expression growing a little wary. “No, why would she?”

I cleared my throat. “Never mind.”

Curtis blinked, his eyes seeming to look for the guilt and embarrassment I hid as I avoided the subject, but for all I knew, he was as guilty as I was—if Bree were right, that is.

Curtis has secret feelings… for you.

I mentally told Bree to stop messing with my head. I was trying to have a not-so-awkward conversation with Curtis, and in one way or another, I was succeeding.

The coach blew his whistle. Water break was over. Again.

“Whoops, gotta run.” Curtis got up. “Later, Quinn.”

“Yeah,” I said. “Later!”

And Curtis ran to the court as the volleyball game commenced.

As much as our conversation went well, the moment it was over, I sunk back to my thoughts. What if… Curtis does like me?

And for a moment, the possibility didn’t worry me at all. In fact, I sat on the bleachers, trying to contain my giddiness. If that was how he felt about me without any interference in the timelines, then I was in my own little bubble of bliss. Why else did he visit me in the nurse’s office all the time? Why else would he have kissed me back in that storage shed?

Unfortunately, that meant that I was no longer paying attention. Curtis had served the ball, and it would just be a matter of time when—

“Quinn, look out!”

And the ball met my face, knocking me out cold.