𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐚 ➸ 𝐅.𝐇

𝟎𝟐. 𝐭𝐞𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭.

"Shit, I bought the wrong brand"

(Edited)

[KALOSPIA]

—"GUESS what I'm about to get."

"On my nerves."

—IF JULIEN HAD to pick a wake-up call,
his roommate panicking about losing her work stockings wouldn't top the list.
But that's the reality when you willingly share a space with the lady who once threatened you with a tin of teabags.

Julien groaned, tugging the duvet over his head, hoping to block out the world. Sunlight filtered through the blinds, spilling across the room, casting everything in a lazy glow. He twisted away from it, attempting to drift back into sleep.

The door flew open, and in rushed Donna, desperately trying to pin her hair into a bun while struggling to zip her dress.

"You wouldn't happen to have a spare pair of stocking, right Everhart?" Donna's voice rang through the room as she headed straight for his dresser, rummaging through them in haste.

Julien rubbed his eyes and sat up, "Why on earth would I own one pair of stockings?"

Donna gave an exasperated shrug but kept digging.

"Where's the pair you wore yesterday?" Julien asked, stifling a yawn.

"I don't know, I leave it to dry in the bathroom, I wake up this morning and they're gone" she replied.

As the room fell into a brief silence, Donna paused to stare at the boy who scanned the surroundings, his eyes avoiding Donna's. "Jesus, Julien. Where's my stockings?" she demanded.

His eyes darted around the room. "Well, they were wet when I found them..." His voice trailed off defensively, as though the accusation itself was exhausting.

"Well, they were drying. Where is it?" she pressed, gripping an old T-shirt in her hands.

"I mean it was in the washer then it sorta ended up in the dryer.."

Donna hurried to the bathroom with a loud groan, followed by a grumble down the hall, "Great, now I get to feel like a sausage while I serve it."

Julien chuckled as he dragged himself out of bed, stretching. He wandered into the kitchen, trying to ignore the panic emanating from Donna.

"You know you don't have to wear them; no one's worn them since, like, the sixti-" he paused, "..-teenth year of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation.. And hey, today's her anniversary."

Donna reappeared, stockings on, adjusting her name tag. "What the hell are you even talking about?"

"Never mind." Julien waved her off, turning his attention to the kitchen shelf. "Do you know where the tea bags are?"

"Oh, we're out of tea. I borrowed the box when the café ran out. Guess what? Nobody drinks tea anymore.

Julien's face contorted in distaste at the mere idea of indulging in coffee, especially as the initial flavour to greet his morning senses, "An Italian who hates coffee, and now I'm being forced to drink it?"

Donna turned, her gaze firm yet gentle as she prodded the space between his brows, "Enough sass, just head to the store and get some more."

With a roll of his eyes, Julien responded, "I'm pressed for time, need to swing by the record store, and help Elliot with-"

"Elliot?" Donna interrupted, her voice carrying a note of concern.

"Yeah, why? What's wrong?" Julien paused, brows furrowed.

Donna shrugged. "I just feel like he's not in the best headspace lately."

Julien waved it off. "He's never in the best headspace, but I'm barely holding it together myself. I'm late for work."

"Don't waste any time, then," Donna said with a smile, grabbing her bag.

Julien smirked. "I'll make sure to list you as my emergency contact."

Don't be a prick, Julien." Donna rolled her eyes as she shrugged her bag onto her shoulder. "And it's your turn to get the groceries. You might as well grab your tea bags while you're at it—prove you have at least a shred of responsibility?" She tapped her wrist, signaling him to hurry, before closing the door behind her.

Left alone, Julien let out a scoff and stared down at his worn slippers. "Responsible. Yeah, sure, I'm the fucking poster child for responsibility."

-"SHIT! Goddamn it!"

Julien sprinted across the busy street, dodging honking cars and weaving through irritated pedestrians. The chaotic sounds of the city surrounded him—horns blaring, people shouting. His panic was rising, and each step felt like he was teetering on the edge of something far worse than being chased.

By the time he reached the entrance to the apartment building, his rushed footsteps began to slow. His hands frantically searched his pockets until they found the familiar shape of his keys. He let out a relieved chuckle.

But that relief quickly shattered when the sharp sound of police sirens cut through the air. Julien's heart jumped. Without a second thought, he dashed into the nearby alley Julien tore through the busy street, narrowly avoiding oncoming cars as a symphony of honking and shouting erupted around him.

The distant wail of police sirens shattered the brief moment of calm. His heart raced as panic surged through his veins. He bolted into a nearby alley, sliding between two large garbage bins. The pungent stench filled his nose as he crouched in the shadows.

All because some grown man couldn't handle a bit of coffee to the face.

Julien shook his head at the absurdity of it all. He could've talked his way out of the situation—probably. But that was before he'd smashed a glass over the guy's head and yelled every curse word he could think of.

As the sound of approaching footsteps grew louder, Julien held his breath. His hand instinctively slid toward the small pocket knife tucked into his back pocket.

Gradually, the steps faded, and Julien could only assume the officer had planned on strolling down the street for a while, leaving behind only the hum of radios emanating from nearby stores.

A rush of emotion hit Julien as a group of carefree children ran past, their laughter echoing down the alley. It stole his breath for a moment, tightening something deep in his chest. With a wry scoff, he stood up, brushing the dirt off his jeans.

"Alright, Jules," he muttered to himself, trying to steady his nerves. "You've talked your way out of worse messes than this. Just stay calm, it's what you do best."

Before he could gather himself, someone barreled into him out of nowhere, knocking both of them to the ground.

"Never mind."