The Other Roommate

17 - Bittersweet

"Living up to your name, my DP." Callie muttered under her breath, smiling contently at Alex's note.

Callie could picture the green-eyed smiling cheekily as she wrote the words down. She could almost feel the bliss that cloaked Alex's body with the task through the minute groves of Alex's handwriting. Callie would have denied it early on but she was enamored by the older girl's mischief. It was too adorable to ignore - harder to hate. She would not be "Alex Rivera" without that important aspect and to Callie, that quality completed the older girl.

The brunette took a deep breath - deciding to focus on the now and enjoy her date with her roommate. She felt like she owed that much to Alex and to herself. They needed a good day or night - maybe even a "might". All thoughts aside, Callie was ardently excited for that date. It was unnerving how she had never been that giddy for a date since Alex.

Callie hurriedly took a shower and went to her room to change. As much as she wanted to shower a little longer, she didn't want Alex to magically turn into a snowman, frozen and immovable - paler than usual. The thought made Callie grin, infatuated by her roommate while growing impatient with each second she wasted without her.

A dilemma was not what she wanted to encounter on that "might". Callie had picked out her clothes beforehand. She wanted to look good for Alex Rivera - she even did her make up. She settled for a lace corset, a skirt and leggings with her suede heeled boots that were all black and completed by a red double-breasted, wool long coat.

Callie was standing in front of her mirror - brushing creases to the best of her abilities. She took a lungs-worth of air and released it through her mouth - attempting to rid herself of her nerves. It's not every day that Aphrodite, herself, asks you out on a date.

"Let's go see Lolo, Cal." She mumbled as she adjusted her black bow. She was smiling at her reflection - satisfied with the work she did. Her grin widened at the mention of their nicknames. With a sigh, she continued, "Here goes nothing."

At the sound of the heavy fire door being pried open, Alex swiftly stood up from the stool she positioned right in front of it. She was holding her phone, browsing through the internet for no reason. She was quick to slip the device in her back pocket, broadly smiling at her approaching and unsuspecting "BB" despite how anxious she felt.

Alex seemed to have lost her confidence somewhere around thirty minutes prior to Callie's arrival. The typical concerns of the extremes badgered her tired head. She was unaware if her preparations were too much or too little and if Callie would love it or absolutely hate it. However, there was no time for any adjustments as Callie finally showed up.

That was it, show time.

"Hey!"

In an instant, Callie's pulse spiked up after a cold explosion that emanated from her chest. She cringed while she balled her hands into fists as an uncontrollable tremor rocked her torso while skipping on a couple of steps. Her soul seemed to have abandoned her frightened body as she yelped in fright. The younger girl's bright brown eyes were concealed under the tightly sealed eyelids as if she was bracing for impact.

The chilly air that wrapped her bare skin didn't help her case at all - prompting goose bumps to erupt on the soft contours of her skin.

"You cannot do that all the time, Rivera!" She sternly grumbled, rubbing her pained chest repeatedly to cope with the unwanted shock. Her laborious breathing became visible as her warm breath clashed against the cold, damp air creating minute fogs.

Callie groaned loudly when Alex's melodious laugh filled the quiet of the night. It wasn't nearly as quiet as family-friendly rural areas or suburbs but it was quiet enough for the seemingly unending bustling streets of Chicago. Alex's little laugh begrudgingly caused Callie's lips to quirk up into a smile despite the sternly narrowed, unimpressed eyes.

"You look gorgeous, Cal." Alex suddenly breathed, feeling winded just by the sight of Callie. She was almost certain she would pass out due to her oxygen-deprived brain coupled by her frantic pulse that she could clearly hear from within.

The adoring glint in her green eyes shone in the dim yellow light emanating from the incandescent bulb that hovered above the door. The two were a good five feet away from each other - allowing for either one to admire the person that stood before their eyes.

"Thank you." Callie tenderly smiled at her - awkwardly darting between the ground and Alex's intimidating gaze. She pursed her lips after licking them wet, nodding incessantly, "You're stunning, Alex - very stunning."

She was ogling Alex in her graphic cropped tank top, white high-waist pants, leather jacket and lace-up boots. Alex always looked attractively hot to Callie but the thought of the older girl dressing up just for her caused some very eager butterflies to hog the entire space of her belly.

And yet, no extravagant clothes could conceal those green eyes.

"Leather jacket, huh?"

Alex bashfully bowed her head down, feeling the warmth spread from her chest to her cheeks. She was flustered and she doesn't easily get flustered. A surge of insecurity hit Alex, causing her to uncomfortably shift in her stance, slipping her hands in her back pockets. Her individuality had always been apparent in her clothing style but she had never once questioned those things until that night.

All she ever wanted was to be good enough for the brown-eyed girl.

"Wouldn't be an 'Alex Rivera' look if there wasn't any." The older girl playfully retorted, shrugging indifferently.

Callie rolled her eyes in a feigned annoyance. "You're so full of yourself."

Alex could only grin widely, shaking her head. She could never get tired of their playful banter. Her heart had been overflowing with so much love and adoration for the younger girl.

"There's only one of me, I have to make the most out of it." She quipped as she took the first cautious steps towards Callie.

The younger girl's heart was frantically beating, faster and wilder as Alex came a step closer at a time. Her knees felt weaker and significantly frail when she had just climbed flights of stairs in those heels. She was nervous yet excited to finally hold Alex close - maybe kiss her, too.

"Hi." Alex timidly spoke, lips quivering as she fought the nervous grin. She was surprised to be at eye level with Callie - Alex usually looked down slightly to achieve parallelism.

Callie was beaming brightly at her roommate - letting out an audible exhale contentedly. "Hi."

"If you don't mind, I would like to do this now."

Hearts thumping and stomachs churning, Alex raised her hand to hold Callie by her jaw and neck, guiding her closer to her until their lips collided - physically gentle but emotionally fatal. Alex took an indispensable breath as soon as she felt Callie's lips on hers - the beautiful scent of the younger girl travelled along with the life sustaining oxygen that got Alex's knees feeling weak.

Callie happily smiled, making Alex kiss the younger girl's adorably crooked teeth in the process. She swung her arms over Alex's shoulders, her forearms met behind her neck, pulling the older girl closer as they both maneuvered to deepen the kiss. Alex's left hand was situated on Callie's lower back, coaxing the younger girl to come closer until their bodies were firmly pressed against each other.

They pulled apart with heaving chests, as both struggled to keep their pulse and breathing tamed. Foggy breaths enveloped the pair, creating an isolated little bubble.

"I've always wanted to do that since 12 hours ago." Callie murmured breathlessly with a smile, unwilling to let Alex go just yet. She could barely make out Alex's green eyes as both stood close to each other, heavy breaths hitting their skins.

The older girl wanted to speak but could not find the absolute word to describe the supernatural experience. She had managed to shake her head as her mouth intermittently opened and closed. Callie was rather proud of herself for inflicting such a feeling to her roommate which made her already extensive grin even wider.

"Shall we?" She slipped her hand in Alex's, interlocking their fingers prompting the older girl to look down on their tangled hands with a gratified yet gentle smile on her face.

The older girl nodded before carefully tugging Callie to the direction of the table she set up by one corner of the rooftop. Most of Alex's nerves were swept away when Callie gasped upon seeing the iron-framed glass top table underneath an elegant white table cloth that was accompanied by white-cushioned chairs of the same frame. Wine glasses and silverware were intricately placed on the table along with a single long-stemmed white rose in the middle.

They were surrounded by numerous candles inside ordinary old fashioned glasses to illuminate the moon-lit night just right. They only needed to shine for at least two hours until the early morning sun decided it was time for dawn.

Alex nervously directed her dazed roommate towards her seat, pulling the chair out for her and promptly pushing just in time for Callie to descend on it. The younger girl was still desperately trying to comprehend why Alex would go to great lengths to make their night special. She could not find any answers to her question as her previous relationship didn't offer her much swooning - she was just there, existing among everything ordinary. Colin only took her out to a restaurant - the guy never did anything for her that's remotely romantic. Alex had a very low bar to top.

To Callie, everything about that early dawn was nothing short of magical. The sole reason behind its magic is one Alex Rivera.

"I wanted tonight to be special. I was going to take you to the Riverwalk but you had to work today." Alex remorsefully reasoned, standing by Callie's side. "And I'm sorry I couldn't find a good 24-hour operated restaurant. I had to improvise and cooked for you instead. I can assure you the food is still hot. I put it in this insulated thermal box thing that's supposed to keep it hot. I hope you l-"

She began to ramble out her apprehension which made Callie giggle before reaching for the green-eyed brunette's hand.

"Alex," Callie interrupted. "I wouldn't have it any other way." She reassured her - looking at Alex delicately. "This is our spot and you're here...with me. That's all I want."

The younger girl's words effectively forced the rest of Alex's concerns to the side - calming her. With one quick peck to the lips, Alex disappeared to retrieve their meals and returning with two plates of hearty beef lasagna a couple of minutes later. She reached down under the table to retrieve a Chianti Classico that she found was best with the lasagna. She's a bartender after all.

Callie was undeniably excited when her eyes met the savory meal that she was all too familiar with. It could not have been a midnight snack, nor could it be breakfast and yet Callie didn't care. She just wanted to devour the lasagna and feed her beast of an appetite.

Despite being reminded that drinking was optional, Callie had a glass of wine just to celebrate their first date. The warmth from the alcohol proved to be useful amid the cold October air. Alex was more than gratified for her time in the kitchen with her mother when the familiar moan sprung from Callie's throat with a deep and audible exhale the moment her taste buds were associated with the lasagna.

"I can't believe you made this."

"Excuse me?" Alex raised her brows disbelievingly, feigning offence as she let out a huff in amusement. Her fork hovered in the air as she continued to speak. "Tease me all you want. I'm not the one having o******x with the lasagna."

She casually went back to her food with that signature smirk on her lips. She was stabbing the pasta dish aimlessly as she could hear Callie gasp followed by a defeated chuckle.

"Should I be offended?"

"No." Alex retorted simply. "I should be offended. I cook breakfast every day for your lucky butt and you still 'can't believe it'? How nice of you." She teased - broadly grinning. "But I mean, you couldn't fake that moan even if you tried to. Tell me - was it orgasmic?"

If Rudolph the reindeer had a bright red nose, Callie had bright red cheeks from utter embarrassment. She was certain that Alex would use her groaning against her. Callie might have been embarrassed but she welcomed the juvenile banter with all her heart.

"That was a rhetorical statement, Porcelain Butt." She grinned as soon as she regained her composure - visibly proud of her come back. Callie let go of the silverware, setting her hands on the edge of the table while leaning closer to Alex. "But I do know you can cook really well and I love every single meal you cooked for me. I'm just saying this is my favorite along with the Cuban banana recipes you made me."

The older girl gaped incredulously, knowing full well Denise had something to do with Callie's knowledge of the wretched nickname. She brought her head back, eying Callie suspiciously. She was flattered by the compliments on the last half of the statement but Alex found herself obsessing with the nickname.

"Let me guess," She begrudgingly spoke, despite the smile on her lips. She, too, leaned closer to the table, meeting Callie halfway. "A crazy, loud gorilla made you say that?"

Callie giggled, shaking her head. "I read her note on the fridge that one time we went grocery shopping." She hummed thoughtfully, tapping her index finger against the table. "I should call you 'PB' now."

"Whatever." Alex huffed, rolling her eyes. "Seriously though, is the food good?" Her thick brows arched as she dropped her confident shoulders.

The brown-eyed brunette incredulously raised her brows - apparently finding the question quite ridiculous. "You just told me I had o******x!" She reminded Alex - stifling a laugh. "Of course, it's good. I couldn't fake a moan like that." She winked, displaying a knowing grin that caused Alex to timidly bow her head down to conceal the reddening cheeks.

"Alex,"

"Yeah?" Alex retorted, lifting her head up to meet Callie's expectant brown eyes. The mischievous twinkle in them long gone.

Callie raised her right hand to Alex's cheek, softly pressing her palm against it with a tender smile painting her lips. She gently ran her thumb, admiring the feel of the older girl's skin against hers. Alex could only close her eyes as she relished the touch - taking a deep contented breath.

"You're devastatingly and overwhelmingly beautiful this close. I can't breathe." Callie sighed.

Alex's lids parted, revealing her revitalized green eyes - twinkling against the seemingly countless flickering flames of the candles. "Do you need CPR?"

The younger girl grinned as she moved to connect situated her face closer to Alex's. "I welcome any excuse to kiss you."

So, they kissed...again and even when they have done it multiple times - the stars seemed to twinkle brighter while fireworks were simultaneously set off. And Callie was more than convinced, it was definitely magic.

They ate, talking about anything under the sun, or the moon, whichever one works. They were both contented and undeniably exultant in each other's company, giggling at every opportunity like little children with the least concerns for the world.

"Where are we going?" Callie queried when Alex stood up, collecting her wine glass and the half empty wine bottle in her right hand.

Alex offered her free hand to the younger girl who took it and her own wine glass after getting on her feet. Callie's features exuded of confusion but her eyes could only beam of trust for Alex.

Alex's lips were molded into a grin that was slightly tainted with her anxiety. Her grin wasn't her typical mischief. It was that of pride, hiding something special from the other girl.

"You'll see."

Callie pulled Alex's hand to halt the older girl's movements before she could take them farther.

"Alex," She timidly began, desperate to unload her thoughts. "You know, that dinner, or whatever that...that meal we just had is called was enough for me. Nobody has ever really bothered to do things like this for me." Callie bowed her head down, slightly embarrassed by the admission. "Thank you, Alex."

The green-eyed brunette tightened her hold on Callie's hand reassuringly, looking at her in the eyes. "They weren't me, Cal." She shrugged with a closed-lip smile, her chest brimming with ardent passion. "And nobody meant as much to me as you do. So, if you don't mind, I would like to make this night a little more special."

"Trust me." Alex breathed, her tone reveling her unpretentious feelings.

"I trust you."

Callie couldn't believe how easily the words poured from Alex's sincere lips. Her guilt over the news she was going to have to unveil reached a colossal size that caused her heart to plummet do her bile filled belly. For the first time during that date, she remembered her looming resignation which painfully tightened her chest.

Desperate to free herself from the uncomfortable feelings, she latched her lips to Alex's. The older girl smiled after the initial shock, and kissing back fervently.

"So, your idea of a date is a black abyss?" Callie quipped as soon as her eyes met the outstretched sleeping bag with one of Alex's silk bed spread and duvet.

On the duvet was a picnic basket and Alex's laptop. The little picnic set-up was set on another corner, one with the absence of the little candles and mostly lit by the pale moon light and the insignificant twinkle of the stars.

Alex flared her nose while rolling her eyes, feigning annoyance. She kicked her boots off and went to the middle of the laid out sheet with Callie following suit. The green-eyed girl wasn't as nervous as she was when the date began which allowed for more playful banter to take hold of their conversations.

"I would say something equally annoying but I'm on a date here!" She lightheartedly complained, making Callie giggle. "I'm trying to be myself. I wanted you to get to know me and not the unruly, angry girl you had to put up with because you live and work with her."

"I don't know. She was pretty good to me." The younger girl genuinely spoke despite the feigned innocence. "I mean, physically, she's a goddess. Like wow but she could work on her temper." She smirked, nudging her brows at the girl seated next to her.

"Shut up." Alex slightly pushed her by the shoulder and simultaneously pulled her laptop close. She opened it to a video which was paused in the beginning with nothing but a black screen.

Callie marveled at the way the silk fabric grazed her bare skin, mostly her feet and the back of her hand. She continually rubbed her hands against it after setting the glass down in front of her. "I've always wondered how it felt to lay in your silk sheets the moment I saw them."

The green-eyed girl chuckled, amused my Callie's little venture. "Did I ever ban you from going into my room and rolling on my bed like a dog?"

"So, I'm a dog? Ouch." The younger girl feigned offence, scrunching up her features while her hand clutched onto her chest. "And no, you didn't. I just didn't want to intrude. It's your private room."

"Okay..." Alex trailed off, pulling Callie's wandering hands from the sheet to her lap. "This is an exclusive, all-access pass to my room - to lay in my bed whenever and however long you want. Good?"

"Very." A grin tugged at Callie's lips before she leaned in to kiss Alex for the umpteenth time in the span of about an hour. She had just been craving the red-tinted lips and could not resist it especially when they were really close.

The older girl reached for the picnic basket, revealing a bowl with confectionary treats that were shaped into hearts made with two of her favorite things. Callie was excitedly watching as her roommate unveiled the little dessert they were about to share. She could feel her mouth literally watering at the sight of the dessert. The younger girl reached for one and lifted it up to level with her mouth.

"What are these?"

"Strawberry and Nutella tarts." Alex retorted with a proud grin as she took one for herself. "I know I kept stealing your strawberries and I love Nutella so I thought of combining them."

"W-Wait! You made these?"

Callie furrowed her brows, seemingly unable to comprehend what she had just heard. Alex had already cooked the savory main course - she did not have to make the dessert herself, too. Her roommate practically spent her entire day off preparing for that date.

A nod was enough to answer Callie's question before she could feel tears stinging her eyes. That night couldn't be real and her feelings for Alex couldn't be more obvious. Callie was in love with her. She loved every little detail that make up Alex Rivera despite having no idea there was such a thing as romantically sweet Alex.

Callie loved her eyes and the way they project her deep and utmost feelings. She loved Alex's lips and the way they take shape as intelligent, mostly childish, things flow from them. She loved her mind and all the ways the gears revolve to conjure the thoughts that Alex keeps to herself. Callie loved her and all the things that make up Alex Rivera.

Callie loves Alex and it's as simple as that.

"I wanted to watch the stars with you just like the night you brought me up here." Alex bashfully began - looking up at the dark, gloomy skies. "But winter is just around the corner and I knew there'd be no chance of stars with pollution and the clouds. So..."

The older girl positioned the laptop in front of them, a little farther up and pressed play. She inched closer to Callie, their arms pressed firmly against each other.

"I thought we'd do some stargazing on this little baby instead."

"You're sweet, Alex Michelle." Callie's voice shook, unable to contain the overwhelming bliss Alex inflicted upon her. A tear experienced liberty as it cascaded down Callie's cheek. "It's hard to believe I found you repulsive when we first me."

Alex adjusted in her seat to completely face her roommate, wiping her cheek dry before planting a gentle kiss on the dried up trail of the tear. "I'm sorry. I was hurt. I didn't know how else to deal with it."

"No, I'm sorry." Callie mumbled, leaning her forehead against Alex.

"It's okay." The older girl assured her - delicately kissing Callie's nose before swinging her arm behind the younger girl, setting it on her hip.

The brown-eyed brunette, rested her head on Alex's shoulder as they watched the hour long video of the sky Alex picked up off of the internet. The silence pushed Callie to deep well of her thoughts, forcing her to think about Alex, leaving Chug, working for Jazmin's dad, and unfortunately, Colin Grant.

Callie wallowed in the things that she wasn't supposed to be thinking about.

Colin wasn't much of a lover - he was on the polar opposite of it. Callie felt neglected but felt as if it was just right in the long run. The younger girl was coaxed to think it was normal to be left behind while her much older boyfriend lives it up with his buddies, drowning in alcohol and fornicating with various other women.

There was no doubt in Callie's mind that she was perfectly contented with staying at Chug as long as she was with Alex. But she had always been very rational, very sensible to the practical aspects of life. She figured, because she had to leave, she will work hard for Alex and whatever uncertain future the world has in store for them.

Callie was happy right there, in the arms of the girl she loves. But what if leaving the bar meant change that is more than just physically without each other?

"Look, Cal!" Alex excitedly pointed to the screen - prompting the younger girl to follow the direction. "There's a shooting star. Make a wish!"

Callie let out a huff, looking at Alex suspiciously. "You know it's not real right?"

The older girl shook her head condescendingly, pursing her lips. "At one point, when this was filmed, it was." She playfully scowled at her grinning roommate. "Quit being a stubborn ass, BB."

Callie would have bickered with her roommate further but she wanted to hear the once revolting nickname. She still might not admit it but she found it particularly heartwarming when Alex uses nicknames. Besides, she probably needed a wish granted. And so, pushing all the rational confines of the shooting star wishing, Callie closed her eyes and made a wish and hoped it would come true. Alex did, too.

"I want to dance with you." Callie suddenly prompted as soon as Alex's eyes shot open.

It was a spur of the moment kind of thing and Alex was not once to decline the suggestion. Callie her phone out from her coat and looked for the right song she felt was perfectly fitting. She ended up playing Lifehouse's "You and Me" which brought out a sincere smile on Alex's lips.

Without complaint, the older girl stood up, sticking her hand out for Callie who took it without hesitation. The burden in Callie's chest had been quite unbearable despite the initial plan to push the miserable aspect of the future that she could see. The moment they stood up, the younger girl threw her arms around Alex's shoulders, hugging the older girl who wrapped her arms around Callie's waist.

"You and me, huh?" Alex lightly teased - resting the side of her face on Callie's.

"Yes. You and me." Callie affirmed, a glimmer of hopefulness laced her stifled despondency. "I like that song."

The green-eyed girl took a deep breath. She slightly tightened her hold on Callie, bracing for the possible unbearable recoil of her next words. Alex thought it was as good as any other time to confess her feelings for her. The big "L" word just had to wait for a little bit longer. Unwilling to overwhelm her roommate.

"Well, I like you, Cal." She bashfully confessed, reluctant to pull back to see Callie's reaction.

Callie contentedly sighed, a small smile traced her lips. She kissed Alex's cheek as she pulled back to meet the anxious green of her roommate's eyes. Her brown ones, however, were glossed in a thin layer of moisture.

"I regretfully like you, too."

There was a long, passionate kiss that ensued soon after and Alex was not sure if she could still stand.

They swayed for the entirety of the song with all four eyes concealed. Callie felt choked up. She could not believe she ever deserved a person who willingly did things to make her happy. The younger girl could not help but compare her past relationship with the budding one she shared with Alex. Alex's embrace had always been comfortable to her despite their conflict and she never felt such affection with her ex. While there were only pain and emptiness with Colin, Alex proved to be an adventure - a rollercoaster of an all-encompassing combination of emotions that always made her heart race with adrenaline.

"Can I tell you something?" Callie mumbled in Alex's arms - her chin nestled on her roommate's shoulder.

The older girl nodded, urging her to go on. There was a deep, audible sigh before Callie began speaking. She may have been unwilling to share that part of her history but she felt it was necessary for Alex to know.

"C-Colin...he...he used to force me into having s*x with him." The brown-eyed girl clung to Alex tighter, afraid to see the alarm in Alex's eyes. She took a deep breath, coaxing herself to keep going while Alex gently rubbed her back. "We lived together and it was easy to say no to him when he was sober. But when he's drunk, it's almost impossible to push him off. I can still remember the bitter taste of his mouth and the smell of that stupid expensive whiskey he adores. The nasty smell still nauseates me."

For a long period of time, Callie was ashamed of herself. She could still feel remnants of that shame right at that moment and she just wanted to crawl in a deep burrow, hide herself forever. The younger girl's ragged breathing and stifled sobs worried Alex to great ends. She felt physically in pain and the sharp stab in the heart felt too real.

Of course, it's the whiskey! Alex grumbled to herself - wishing she just hit the guy with the bottle of his favorite drink on the head. There was a deep, incessant need to turn back time just to be able to get Colin back for whatever he did to the girl she loves. Alex matched the rigidity of Callie's embrace, drawing the younger girl closer as she felt very protective of her.

"Did he..." She trailed off, unsure if she was willing to know that the girl she's in love with was r***d. The mere thought of it crumpled Alex's heart right as her stomach painfully twisted.

"No." Callie breathed, relaxing Alex in the process. She fought hard to stifle her quivering voice - opting to whisper instead. But Callie's eyes gushed with tears then - she had opened the floodgate and there was no holding it back. "He had enough maids to help me escape. I screamed at the top of my lungs until at least one of them would show up to pry him off me."

"He had threatened to fire them all but his parents wouldn't let him." She sniffled - reluctant to divulge on what was to come out of her mouth next. "W-We did do it though - when we were still in the honeymoon phase of the relationship when all things are fine and dandy. But then everything went downhill by the third month. There was not a day that we wouldn't fight. We were pathetic."

"I always just felt so inadequate for him." Callie sniffled, rubbing the back of her hand against her nose. "I don't know if he does it on purpose but it felt horrible. He never did the things you do even within those good three months. I never felt any sort of moral support for things I wanted to do. He wanted me to be just any old trophy wife, left on the shelf - smothered by dust."

Alex had pieced everything together. The fear in Callie's eyes when the man showed up at the bar was a result of his twisted view of the relationship. Alex could not comprehend how such a sweet person could end up with a pathetic excuse of a man.

The older girl could not help the jealousy that claimed her consciousness. It had happened - it was all in the past but she found herself fixating on that little detail. Alex looked at Callie with such high regard and with utmost respect. Her blood boiled as Colin's evil image squeezed itself in Alex's distraught mind. She was sure she would rip the guy's head off and chop the rest of his body up to feed to hungry hyenas.

"I never saw anything special in myself because his eyes never once gave me that feeling." Callie let out a bitter laugh as she shook her head disbelievingly. "You were actually right about taunting him about his parents. It's a sore subject."

"Hey!" Alex urgently pulled away, holding Callie by the waist. She searched the younger girl's wary eyes, hoping her green eyes exuded sincerity. "You're nothing but special to me, Cal. You're extraordinarily magnificent and you have no idea how gratified I am of your presence. I want you to know and believe it in your heart that you are beautiful and you deserve all the good things imaginable to man. And I would never force you into doing something you're not comfortable with. Ever."

"Please?" The older girl pleaded, nodding in the hopes that her roommate would reciprocate.

Alex had never kissed Callie with that much desperation within her love as soon as the younger girl timidly rocked her head in agreement. In Alex's gut was an irrational need to erase all the unpleasant memories Colin grant instilled in Callie's tainted head and heart. Maybe it wasn't even irrational because it was absolutely necessary.

"Thank you." Callie muttered, loathing the thought of disengaging their lips.

"What for?" Alex pulled away, furrowing her brows incredulously.

Sighing, the younger girl ran her hand through her hair - her beautifully tainted smile broke Alex's heart yet brimmed it of adulation. Callie then settled her hands on her roommate's shoulders, looking at her dearly.

"For being you and all that you have done for me." She sighed, inundated by her feelings for Alex. "Thank you, Alex."

Alex wanted to smile but instead took a deep breath before yawning. The entire time she allotted for preparing for that date had taken a toll on Alex physically and emotionally.

"Trust me, it was my pleasure."

The younger girl chuckled, tapping Alex's shoulder twice. "We should really sleep, DP. You're tired and I could use the rest."

Alex insisted on leaving everything but her laptop - saying she could do it in the morning but Callie was not having it and eventually won with not much persuasion. They took two trips to finish hauling everything but the table and chairs back to their apartment unit. The pair were happily smiling as they completed their task. They did leave a mess by the door, including their shoes which they were sure Denise would be complaining about.

Feeling the warmth in the apartment and the physical activity, Callie decided on stripping herself of her coat. Alex was drinking water when her eyes bulged out and started choking on herself with the abrupt breath she took. Her eyes roamed the curves of Callie's body, her eyes settling for the younger girl's backside which was the reason for the nickname, BB.

Callie was quick to be at her side, patting her back slightly as she mumbled some comments about being old enough to not drown while drinking water. The quiet room was inundated by Callie's joyful song, laughing her socks off as her roommate continually coughed.

Regaining her composure, Alex's mischievous smirk was the first thing that Callie noticed followed by the dark glimmer of Alex's eyes.

"You little vixen."

Callie would never admit it but she enjoyed the attention. Her clothing preference was for Alex after all. She was not exactly happy to have to keep her coat while they were outside together. Maybe she had a hidden agenda. It was cold though.

"Excuse me?" She feigned offence despite the widening grin on her lips.

"Nothing." The older girl retorted right before she pulled Callie rather forcefully towards the younger girl's room. She had one goal in her mind and it was to complete the ultimate gentlewoman checklist for dates.

"What are you doing?" Callie queried, allowing Alex to pull her. She never wanted the night to end but was eager to see what Alex was up to.

"Taking you home." The older girl reasoned simply - momentarily looking back to face Callie. "Isn't that what people who go out on dates do? Since we live together, I'm taking you to your room which is your home somehow."

Callie could only chuckle at the little notion. She was amused and enamored at the same time. Alex was simply too adorable to be a sassy little badass.

They soon reached the door to Callie's bedroom in no time seeing as the distance was barely 20 feet from the starting point.

"Good Night, Alex. Tonight was absolutely perfect." Callie beamed, looking at green of Alex's eyes affectionately. Her hand had begun to twist the knob, slightly prying the door open.

"It's might, Cal." Alex corrected with a smug grin. "Good Might, pretty girl."

Callie had absolutely no idea where her guts came from but she found herself lunging at the older girl, jumping at her. Alex's reaction time was lightning speed, catching Callie right on time as their lips connected with hungry, lustful desire. She kicked the door open and leaned back on it to close while Callie worked on locking the door.

There was haste in Alex sudden spark of energy as she brought them both to Callie's bed. As Callie's back hit the soft surface, she began to push Alex's leather jacket off while the older girl began nipping at her jaw, down to her neck.

And that was when Callie remembered their conversation at three in the afternoon which replaced the physical hunger that ignited her pulse with anxiety.

"Uh...Alex," Callie breathed heavily as her eyes were sealed in pleasure, relishing the soft surface of Alex's lips against her skin.

"Hmm?"

"I don't mean to ruin the mood but I have to tell you something." The younger girl's tone was ostensibly despondent which effectively caught her roommate's attention.

Alex looked up only to find a frown in Callie's features and she immediately feared the worst. Her mouth instantly dried up as moisture settled on her nervous palms. The older girl felt horrified at the thought of inflicting discomfort upon Callie with the way she touched her. She brushed the stray strands on Callie's face away, setting her hand on the younger girl's cheek while supporting her weight with her right hand.

"Did I do anything wrong?"

Callie vigorously shook her head which didn't do much to the older girl's. "Alex, I hated working with you at first and all I ever wanted to do was hide from you. But then you showed me the person behind the snarky attitude and the sassy little mouth which made me look forward to going to work and coming home every single day because you'd be in either of those places." She began, the bile in her stomach beginning to climb up to her mouth due to anxiety.

The brown-eyed girl took a deep, shaky breath in an attempt to get her composure back which abandoned her the moment she said the older girl's name. "You became the highlight of my bleak days, there's always something to smile about or laugh about. I don't know if that makes sense but even when we're always together in the apartment, there's still thrill I see in Chug because you're there."

Callie's rambling confused Alex. She wanted to feel elated by the sincere words but could not shake the horrible thoughts looming in the back of her mind. Callie's discomfort could not mean something good. Alex was sure the younger girl wasn't nervous because she was about to propose - it was something bad and Alex knew it in her gut.

"Cal, what is it?" Alex muttered, compelling her roommate to get to the point as it was uncomfortable to be sitting at the edge of her seat.

"I have to quit Chug."