PREDICTABLE | Mikhaloi [18+]

JeLops

The morning sunlight gently roused me from sleep, and there she was, Yves, nestled beside my bed. I reached out and pulled her close, a warm embrace that couldn't quite contain the echoes of the night before. She stirred in my arms, her eyes fluttering open as she met my gaze. "Good morning," she murmured, her voice soft and sleepy.

My phone buzzed, the caller ID displaying "Avery." My head pounded, the events of the previous night replaying in my mind. I answered, my voice strained. "Hey, Avery," I mumbled.

"Baby, where are you? Did you eat breakfast?" Avery's voice was bright and cheerful, a stark contrast to the throbbing in my head.

My heart skipped a beat. Callie was still in bed, her arms wrapped around me. She might have heard the call. I hoped she hadn't. "I'm just... getting ready," I stammered, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Oh, okay," Avery replied, her tone unfazed. "Well, text me when you're free, okay?"

"Yeah, sure," I said, relieved as she hung up.

I sighed, my anxiety mounting. Avery and I weren't dating, but she always called me "Baby." I didn't know why. It was confusing, especially now, with Callie in the room. I needed to talk to Avery about it, but not right now. Not with Callie still asleep.

Callie stirred beside me, her eyes fluttering open as soon as she heard Avery's voice. She sat up, her gaze fixed on me, and then quickly slipped out of bed, heading straight for the bathroom. I heard the water running, the sound a welcome distraction from the knot of tension tightening in my stomach.

I leaned in close to Callie, intending to give her a quick peck on the cheek. But she abruptly pushed me away, her eyes wide. She must have heard Avery's call. Without a word, she stood up and walked towards the bathroom, her back stiff and her shoulders tense.

The bathroom door slammed shut, the sound echoing in the quiet apartment. I sat on the edge of the bed, my heart pounding. Callie's silence was deafening.

I knew I had to talk to her. I couldn't let this misunderstanding fester. But how could I explain Avery? How could I explain that she meant nothing to me, that it was just a habit, a meaningless nickname?

I stood up and walked to the bathroom door, my hand hovering over the knob. I hesitated. What if she was angry? What if she didn't believe me?

Taking a deep breath, I knocked gently. "Callie?" I called softly. "Can we talk?"

The bathroom door creaked open, revealing Callie standing in the doorway. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her face was pale.

"Callie, I..." I started, but she cut me off.

"Just leave me alone," she said, her voice barely a whisper. She turned away and disappeared back into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her.

I stood there, frozen, the weight of her rejection crushing me. I had never seen her so upset. I had never seen her so... distant.

I slumped against the wall, my head in my hands. What had I done? How could I have been so careless? I had messed up, big time. And now, I didn't know how to fix it.

The bathroom door remained closed, the silence inside heavy and oppressive. Minutes ticked by, each one an eternity. Finally, I heard the click of the lock, followed by the soft thud of the door opening.

Callie stood in the doorway, her hair still damp from the shower, strands clinging to her face. She was dressed in the same clothes she'd been wearing yesterday, her face pale and drawn. Her eyes, usually bright and full of life, were dull and lifeless.

She walked past me, her movements slow and deliberate, and headed towards the front door. I reached out to her, my hand hovering in the air. "Callie, wait," I pleaded. "Let me explain."