Status Quo | ✓

- I -

T Y S O N 
(i don't want to try not to love you.)

The shrill from the doorbell rang deafeningly in continuous intervals. I heard it since I was in the mid of my shower and it was to the point that it became so annoying that I decided to wash away the remains of soap on my body hastily before wrapping a towel around my waist as I rushed out. I am heading out to see which impatient asshat had been playing with the damn doorbell. 

"Who the fu—"

Slamming down on the door handle, I swung the door a little too forcefully that my visitor had jumped and stumbled back to prevent getting hit. My head raised sharply in annoyance and my gaze met with a pair of striking blue eyes that I knew so well. In fact, I was even fond of them. 

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't know you were s-showering."

I dropped my gaze on the towel that was hanging low on my waist, cursing mentally that I should've grabbed my bathrobe rather than just the towel itself. I raked a hand through my wet hair and fumbled with my words, "M-Mabel, I, um—"

"Do you need me to come back later?" she asked, tilting her head to the side. She gave a curious expression as though I had hidden a dead body or something in my house that should never be found out by anyone.

"Ugh, forget it, just come on in." I moved aside and watched her enter my apartment. I smacked the back of my head and scolded myself internally. I'm an idiot. 

She walked in and removed her shoes at the entryway before stepping into my apartment. I wasn't a very particular person when it comes to shoes, but Mabel always does that whenever she's over. Shrugging my shoulders, I held onto the towel on my waist with one hand and used the other to gesture towards her, "Make yourself at home, I'll be right back."

"Okay," she smiled, sauntering towards my kitchen.

I quickly pulled open my wardrobe and grabbed a grey sweater and a pair of white sweatpants. Slipping them on, I dressed at the fastest speed I could ever manage. My feet pivoted towards my bedroom door before I halted again when I realised that I forgot my boxer. I mean, I usually go commando when I'm alone. Groaning, I stripped the sweatpants off and tugged a pair of dark briefs before getting those long legs into the sweatpants again. This time, I exited my room and went to the kitchen. 

My eyes spotted Mabel immediately. She sat on one of the highchairs while leaning towards the island counter with a cup in her hand and her attention was fixed on her tablet. Her finger scrolled furiously through the screen, as though trying really hard to find something because that focused look on her face was apparent and she always had that determined aura surrounding her when she's on an important task. My feet moved by themselves and walked towards the seat beside her. She felt me close and gleamed towards me, "Hey."