Mileven Stories

Everything (1991)

I have to say an extreme thank you to breathless_writer  for leaving me amazing requests that helped me write this new one shot. Without her amazing ideas, I would not have found inspiration. Thank you so, so much for sharing your brilliant mind! Also — a thank you to David Sheff's 2009 story which inspired a tiny small part of this oneshot. More info on that reference at the bottom!
((PSA: please read the little note at the end of this!))
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A new wave of normal had recently fallen upon the two twenty one year old college sophomores. El had delved deeply into her social work program finding that this field seemed to serve as a coping mechanism against her past. Meanwhile, Mike had just released a new short story. Well, it's release was only within the campus's newsletter, but that did not stop his girlfriend from hanging it on their rundown refrigerator like it was a Nobel Peace Prize.

It was Tuesday evening and El had just returned from her internship. She was in the process of rushing towards the bedroom when she noticed a shiny red light blinking on their answering machine.

She carelessly dropped her bags along the way while floating over to the device, blissfully unaware that her joyful mood would soon burst. It was when she pressed play that her spirits began to crash.

"Hey, it's me. It's Kali. I know it's been a few months, but I just wanted to apologize for the last time I showed up. Things were going so well between you and I until that night. Look... I know I shouldn't have come. You shouldn't have seen me like that. I know I can be a mess, a damn awful mess. I.. I don't know. I would have never broken into your home, I was too drunk and couldn't stop myself to think straightly. And I'm really sorry I hit you after your tried kicking me out.. it was unforgivable. Is there anyway I can have a chance? Just an hour of your time where we can talk and I can explain. Even if you don't forgive me, can I please try to make it up to you? I got a job now. It's at the cafe near the warehouse where we had met up the past few times we saw each other. Please, if you will, please come by.. I'm sorry, Eleven. You're my sister and I lov—"

The long message cut loose and freed itself of the once heard voice.

El stood there in shock for several moments trying to wrap her head around the information her sister had laid on the table. In fact, her statue stood still up until Mike came and found her in place.

She just barely registered that her body was being turned around and brought closely into a familiar embrace. However, as soon as she recognized the smell of her boyfriend's aftershave, she shattered free and wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders as her cries broke between her tightened gasps.

Mike soothingly left kisses upon the crown of her head before whispering, "I got you. You're okay. I'm here, it's okay. Follow my breaths, just keep breathing with me."

Not even a minute later, Mike felt her slump against his chest indicating that she was spent. He graciously bent down and wrapped his fingers around her thighs. After hoisting her legs upon his waist, he swiftly guided them into their room where he softly laid her to bed.

Once Mike's lanky body was scattered just a centimeter apart from his girlfriend, he took a second to look over her features. El's eyes appeared glassy, as if she were in a catatonic daze. Her face left him feeling unsettled, almost fearing that danger had found its way back into their now settling lives.

"Babe, you're scaring me. Can you tell me what happened? I came in and saw you frozen.. you didn't answer when I called your name. I know something happened, and you don't have to tell me anything if you're not ready to, but please let me know if you're okay. Can I do anything? Are you hur—"