PREDICTABLE | Mikhaloi [18+]

Bub.

callie's POV

I woke up with a throbbing headache, the remnants of last night's festivities swirling in my mind. I remembered the drinks with Maki, the laughter, the…  wait.  I looked around, my gaze landing on my pajamas. I was definitely in my own bed.  Confused, I reached for my phone, which was lying on the nightstand. As I scrolled through my notifications, a note caught my eye. It was tucked beside my phone, written in a familiar, yet unwelcome, handwriting.

"Take care of yourself baby, drink this to heal your hangover. Love Max."

Max?  My stomach churned.  Maxwell?  He was the last person I expected to see, let alone be this…  considerate?  I glanced at the bottle of medicine beside the note.  she'd even thought to leave me something to help with my hangover.

I flipped my phone over, checking for any messages from him.  Nothing.  No messages, no calls, just this note.  And the unsettling feeling that something was off.

"Baby?"  The word echoed in my mind, a bitter taste on my tongue.  she called Avery "baby."  How could she…

My anger simmered as I swallowed the medicine, the bitter taste doing little to soothe the burning in my chest.  I needed to get out of here, to clear my head.  I had classes at La Salle, and I needed to focus on something other than the confusing mess that was Maxwell.

I got dressed, the image of his handwriting still imprinted on my mind.  I was furious.  We'd done things, things that…  I couldn't even think about it right now.  How could she do this while Avery was still her girlfriend?

I needed answers.  I needed to talk to her.  But for now, I had to focus on getting to class.  I had a long day ahead of me, and I needed to keep my head straight.  But the memory of his note, the unsettling feeling in my gut, it wouldn't go away.  It was a constant reminder of the tangled mess I'd found myself in.

Maxwell's POV

I stood in Callie's dimly lit room, the faint scent of her perfume lingering in the air. She was sleeping peacefully, her features softened by the gentle glow filtering through the curtains. Guilt gnawed at me as I gazed at her, knowing what I had done the night before.

I watched her stir slightly, a frown marring her forehead as she slept. The events of the night played in my mind like a broken record, the laughter, the shared moments, the undeniable connection we had always shared. But it was wrong. She deserved better than stolen moments, secret glances, and hidden touches.

As I reached for the small bottle of medicine on her nightstand, a wave of regret washed over me. I couldn't undo what had happened, but I could try to make things right, or at least ease her discomfort from the night of revelry.

Leaving a note felt like a feeble attempt to mend what was broken, a feeble attempt to show that I cared, even if it was all wrong. I scribbled the words hastily, the pen scratching against the paper as I poured my conflicted feelings into each letter.

"Take care of yourself, baby, drink this to heal your hangover. Love, Max."

The endearment felt both comforting and damning on the paper. I knew I had crossed a line, betrayed Avery's trust, and now Callie's peace. But in that moment, all I could do was leave behind a message, a token of my remorse, before slipping out of her room, the weight of my actions heavy on my shoulders.

I needed to face the consequences of my choices, to confront the mess I had made of everything. But for now, all I could do was leave a note, a silent apology in the stillness of the morning, before disappearing into the early light of day.

___________________

Callie's POV at La Salle

I entered the bustling halls of La Salle, the familiar sights and sounds of the university campus offering a brief respite from the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. The weight of Maxwell's note still lingered in my mind, a constant reminder of the tangled web I found myself in.

As I made my way to my first class, my thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice. "Callie!" I turned to see Shea and Sam, two of my closest friends, waving at me from across the hall. Relief washed over me at the sight of their friendly faces, a welcome distraction from the turmoil of the morning.

"Hey, guys!" I greeted them with a smile, grateful for their presence. Shea and Sam were like anchors in the storm of my emotions, always there to listen and support me through the ups and downs of life.

We fell into step together, chatting and laughing as we made our way to our respective classes. The ease of their company helped to lighten the heaviness in my chest, if only for a moment.

As we rounded a corner, I caught sight of a familiar figure up ahead. Maxwell. My heart skipped a beat as I saw her walking with a group of friends, her easy smile and casual demeanor at odds with the turmoil in my mind.

Shea and Sam followed my gaze, their expressions curious. "Isn't that Maxwell?" Sam whispered, her eyes wide with surprise. I nodded, my stomach twisting with a mix of emotions.

"Yeah, it is," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. The sight of her with her  friends, the easy camaraderie between them, only served to deepen the conflict within me.

I couldn't ignore the pang of hurt and betrayal that surged through me at the sight of Maxwell, knowing what we had shared, what she had done. But amidst the chaos of emotions, one thing was clear – I needed answers, and I needed to confront her, no matter how difficult it may be.

Callie's POV at the Cafeteria

The familiar aroma of coffee and fried food filled the air as we entered the bustling cafeteria. Shea and Sam headed straight for a table, their laughter echoing through the room. I trailed behind, my mind still preoccupied with Maxwell's note and the unexpected encounter earlier.

"So, what are you guys doing tonight?" Shea asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I shrugged, my gaze drifting towards Maxwell's table where she was deep in conversation with Gray and Cole, her signature easygoing charm on full display.  My heart clenched.

"I don't know, maybe just study," I mumbled, feeling a strange sense of detachment from the conversation.

"Come on, Callie! You need to have some fun," Sam chimed in, her voice full of energy. "It's Friday night, what better way to unwind than with friends?"

"Yeah, you've been stressing about that exam all week," Shea added, her tone sympathetic.

Before I could respond, Sam had already jumped out of her seat, a mischievous grin on her face. "I'm going to go talk to Gray and Cole, convince them to join us for some fun tonight," she announced, winking at me. "You and Shea can catch up."

I watched as Sam sauntered over to Maxwell's table, her confidence radiating as she engaged in a playful conversation with Gray and Cole.  I felt a pang of jealousy, wondering what they were talking about, what she was saying.  I knew Sam was just trying to cheer me up, but the sight of her flirting with Gray and Cole, just a few feet away from Maxwell, made my stomach churn.

Shea, sensing my mood, gently squeezed my hand. "Don't worry, Callie. Sam's just trying to make you smile," she said softly. "She knows how much you've been going through."

I nodded, forcing a smile. "I know, I know. I appreciate it." But even as I tried to be grateful for their support, a part of me couldn't shake the feeling that this night was going to be filled with awkwardness and tension.  The weight of Maxwell's actions, the unanswered questions, and the lingering scent of betrayal hung heavy in the air, even in the midst of the cafeteria's boisterous energy.