Weightless

5) Perfection

24th of January 2017

Mollie's smile is stretched across her face to an extent that it looks plastic, and Cal's blue eyes are plagued with guilt - and so they should be.

Again, Ethan thinks in his fury, he's done it again!

Why is it so hard to talk to your own brother before jumping straight into the depths and making promises which are not yours to make?

Ethan manages to spit out a coherent sentence in his blinding shock. "You're what?"

"I thought it'd be nice if she moved in," Cal says calmly. His eyes are pleading with Ethan in quiet desperation. "Don't you?"

Ethan sits on the edge of the sofa, feeling the anger surge through his veins. Nothing ever goes to plan - Cal always does dumb shit like this without his permission! It's his flat, not Cal's, and it's being offered to someone who is virtually a stranger - who will only suck away the time Ethan gets with his infuriating brother. Ethan hasn't felt this furious, this used, in a long time.

But with all this in mind, it's a shock when someone says in his voice: "I don't mind at all - make yourself at home, Mollie."

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After some time, Mollie and Cal are left alone when Ethan leaves the house to 'do some shopping'. Cal knows he's just angry and needs to cool down - he just wishes Ethan would understand that when happiness comes near, you must grab it with both hands otherwise it'll escape. That's all Cal's doing - making the most of his newfound love and holding it close to him.

"If you grab your boxes, we'll start unpacking," Cal decides, sitting up from the sofa and then smiling despite it all. "About time, too."

Mollie bares a small smile. "Sure."

"If you like, we can go shopping for some-"

"Are you sure this is okay?" Mollie blurts. She sounds stressed, and for Mollie, this is unusual. "I mean, moving in so soon. I understand if you want to make sure Ethan's fine with it and then we can sort the rest later. Perhaps it's all a bit much."

Cal grabs hold of his happiness tightly. "I don't think it's too much."

"Really?"

Cal tightens his grip. "Really. Ethan will get over it."

Mollie takes a few seconds to think it over before getting up and nodding. "I suppose. Okay then. I'll get my painting clothes on."

"Paint... painting clothes?"

"Mmm hmm," Mollie smiles. "May as well go all out. I'm going to paint our room a dusty plum colour."

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25th of January 2017

Ethan spends a lot of time in his room nowadays - almost like a miserable teenager. As he still has time to burn with his suspension in mind, there's very little to do apart from plan meals, count calories and lower the total as if it's an olympic sport from the comfort of his darkened room.

After all, it's not like he'll ever be alone in his flat anymore unless he shuts himself away.

He shakes the thoughts which only make him feel hurt from his mind and adds up the total calories he's eaten today. It's a pleasant distraction from the leftover anger.

Breakfast: 300 calories

Snack: 80 calories

Lunch: 458 calories