The Other Roommate

19 - Insatiable Longing

"Doesn't the smell bother you?" Alex asked, knitting her brows together as she inspected her roommate who was twisting the cap back on the bottle of whiskey after sliding the old fashioned glass towards the waiting patron.

Since hearing about Callie's utter dislike for the alcoholic beverage, Alex had been extremely concerned about her coworker. She did not want to send Callie back to a time when the smell alone haunted her and their job as bartenders is not exactly the best one at avoiding whiskey. It was easier when both of them were working the same shifts. On Alex's day off, she actually came to check up on Callie.

"I mean, if it's uncomfortable for you, I can take care of all the mixing. You can just clean the counter and look pretty - which won't take much effort." She smirked, jerking a brow at Callie suggestively.

If there was anything that Alex usually does, it's dropping playful comments. It just shows her desire to make the mood lighter and avoid causing discomfort to the people that surrounded her. She wants everyone happy when she's happy - everyone, especially Callie. Some people may be an exception to the rule though - for example, Sydney Tucker and Felicity Meade.

The bartenders had been enjoying their time working. Their shift had just begun and not a lot of people were there yet. It was a weekday and they were expecting a slow day. Alex was straining some blended cucumbers next to Callie. The older girl had been complimenting the younger girl nonstop and Callie's cheeks had constantly been red. Thank goodness for the dim lighting.

The brown-eyed brunette huffed in amusement, unable to stifle the grin that took over her neutral lips. "How many times do I have to remind you?" She looked at Alex delicately, appreciating the concern either way. "I'm okay. You've been asking me the same question consistently at least twice a day since our date. Aren't you tired yet?"

It wasn't so much as the smell. It was the taste from Colin's mouth that Callie absolutely abhorred. Of course, the strong aroma of the drink stirred her stomach but nothing compared to the flavor the grazed Callie's taste buds coupled by the combined smell of his expensive cologne and dried up sweat.

"No." The green-eyed girl looked at Callie as if she was crazy. Her rigid gaze rendered the younger girl weak in the knees. "I care about you." She confessed, her features softening as she brushed her roommate's hair behind her ear - rubbing her thumb against Callie's cheek before dropping it in defeat.

"I know you do and thank you."

Alex groaned, fixating her gaze to the ground. "It's so tempting to kiss you right now." She huffed. "It's hard not to you when you look so beautiful all the time."

Callie could not help but roll her eyes, disagreeing with her roommate. "You've seen my bed hair, Alex. I will simply not believe you if you say that is attractive."

The green-eyed girl's mouth gaped, taking a sharp breath as she scrunched up her nose - feigning offence. She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at Callie.

"You're not the boss of me."

The younger girl grinned wider - it never faltered, it just seemed to be stuck on her lips. She loved it when Alex is being a little immature but caring at the same time. There aren't a lot of things more adorable than that.

"Go ahead. I don't think Mason would mind." She encouraged with a knowing look.

Alex chuckled, walking closer to Callie. Her efforts had always been rewarded despite not asking for them. They didn't really have much to lose if they kissed but tons to gain. Callie was leaving anyway, she can't really be punished into quitting.

"Come on, Alex. I know you want to." The younger girl teased, looking into Alex's green eyes. She bit her lip suggestively as she raised her brows at Alex in front of her.

Alex fastened her hands on Callie's waist, giggling as she sent her head backwards. She did want to and her cheeks were quickly heating up. For some reason, she was timidly making her way closer to Callie which the younger girl thought was endearing. Alex could feel her nerves rising as her breathing raced against her pulse.

"That's it, Alex. That's it. Closer." Callie mumbled, her voice lower and significantly huskier.

She set her arms over Alex's shoulder while her gaze was focused on the red-tinted lips that were edging closer. The world was still and the only sound that both could hear were their violently beating hearts and the lightly warbling sound of blood gushing in their veins. Both were lightheaded and breathless, gasping for air as their bodies seemed lifeless but exhilarated at the same time.

A couple of flustered smiling and staring later, Callie was finally able to gather herself to be able to speak once again. She recalled a certain question she had been meaning to ask her roommate.

"Where were you today?" She husked, taking deeper breaths to make up for the ones she lost. She was still on a high from the passionate kiss. "I was looking for you."

"I had somewhere to be." Alex retorted, equally breathless as her chest heaved.

Her hand settled on her roommate's cheek who gravitated towards the touch. Callie sighed in contentment as she did several times since the kiss, her lids concealed her relaxed brown eyes.

"I'll miss seeing you around here."

Alex hummed in agreement, a small, sad smile setting on her lips. "Me, too."

"Alex," Callie began as she opened her eyes which prompted the green-eyed girl to raise her brows inquisitively. "Have I told you I really, really like you?" She bashfully smiled, ducking her head.

The green-eyed girl's grin was unmistakable - she was happy with the confession. The pained smile that she was wearing vanished instantaneously.

"Let me see..." She managed to suppress her grin as she looked up, pretending to think while tapping on her chin repeatedly. She shook her head as she pursed her lips indifferently. "Nope. I didn't even hear what you just said, could you maybe say it again?"

Callie raised her brows incredulously as she widened her eyes in a feigned astonishment. She smirked, crossing her arms. "Make me."

Alex mirrored her expressions as she raised her hands, wiggling them and Callie knew what she wanted to do. The younger girl was not necessarily willing to endure the torture but was keen on keeping her solid front.

"Planning on tickling it out of me, DP?" She challenged, forcing herself to look stern.

The green-eyed girl scrunched up her nose, grinning as she nodded aimlessly. "Pretty much, BB."

Callie dropped her shoulders in defeat, knowing that she was losing the game. She was not even intimidating her roommate. Besides, she liked making Alex smile - she loves seeing her flustered, too. She cupped Alex's cheeks, staring at her green eyes.

"I like you a lot."

"Coincidentally," Alex paused, stealing a quick kiss. "I like you, too."

Days passed and the bartenders had only been able to spend one day together. Callie had been waking up by herself. She had spent her free hours sleeping just because she did not want to miss Alex even more. Reading romantic novels had just backfired on her, watching shows on TV didn't help either.

The younger girl tried to be contented with their early breakfasts and occasional lunches but so far, it just wasn't enough.

Callie was hauling two twenty four by thirty inch paintings to Alex's car. She had just left a shop that she left the canvasses in for two days and was ready to go home. It was a little over ten in the morning and she could not figure out where Alex was. When she asked to borrow her car, Alex was quick to say "yes" and that she would be home by lunch time.

"Do you need help with that?"

Callie cringed upon matching the speaker of the voice that boomed at least a foot behind her. His cologne had already travelled towards Callie's personal bubble, filling the cold, open air with the nauseating smell. It was the last person she wanted to see. Heck, she was repulsed at the thought of him laying his eyes on her. She felt violated even with supposedly innocent gazes.

Colin Grant.

"No." She sternly retorted, not bothering to look at the usually well-groomed and well-dressed business man. The brown-eyed girl was not about to burden herself by letting the man get to her.

It was a menial job and Callie was practically finished pushing the paper-wrapped canvasses onto the backseat. She slammed the door shut and was about to round the car to go to the driver's seat when Colin firmly held onto her shoulder which the younger girl shook off instantaneously.

"Can we talk?" He asked austerely.

Callie sighed in frustration but turned to look at him anyway, looking severely unimpressed. It had been a while since she really took the time to examine his aging face. Colin had significantly aged since the younger girl saw him. He still kept his sandy hair neatly as his suit kept him elegant-looking.

However, the lines by the corner of his eyes and the seemingly endless gorges that grazed his forehead appeared permanent and a lot deeper than she remembered. Colin's eye bags were a lot heavier and darker while his supposedly captivating orbs looked dull and hazy.

"What is there to talk about?"

"Us." He retorted, sounding a little less confident.

"There is a 'you' and a separate 'me' but there never will be an 'us' ever again." Callie angrily groused, daring to look at his incredibly intimidating eyes. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a happy life to get back to."

The brunette hurriedly sauntered towards the driver's side, not looking back at the guy she never really loved.

Colin's pride was mercilessly scraped which angered him. There was a fire that was set ablaze in his chest that wanted to get out. He wanted the upper hand - he just needed it.

He balled his fists with the same intensity as his clenched jaw, itching to just go after the younger girl and force his tongue in her throat. But he felt as if his legs were cemented in place.

"You'll come crawling back to me one day."

Alex came home from her second job by lunch time, as promised. She had to come in to present her caricature for a company's new brand's mascot which was a little girl. It isn't a coincidence that the drawing had big brown eyes and a bow. If Alex had it her way, it would have a round butt and fifteen years older.

Their clients were extremely happy with her work albeit a few notes pertaining to color choices for the little girl's clothing. Rachel was expectedly proud of Alex, beaming brightly at her new recruit. The green-eyed girl didn't require as much time to produce her projects as the person she replaced. By the end of the meeting, Rachel had a question that Alex put off for the next day.

The job had restrictions and guidelines to follow which were unnecessary confinements from self-expression. It didn't require hauling heavy things and dealing with pesky drunk idiots and a psychotic ex-girlfriend though. Alex is naturally creative with a deep connection with art in different mediums, and if her job meant drawing her imaginative side, she was happy. Work never stopped her from sketching in that notebook of hers before, it shouldn't stop her now.

Callie was waiting by the main entrance of the apartment building. Her phone had proven to be a useful device to keep her company as she waited for the green-eyed girl, leaning against the wall. She was badgering Alex about the exact time she would be home.

Callie only had to wait around five minutes until the door swung open and revealed a radiant looking Alex, typing something on her phone. The green-eyed girl instantly beamed as soon as she noticed her roommate, feeling her heart leap in bliss.

Callie promptly mirrored Alex's expressions, smiling a little wider when her brown eyes found her roommate. She jumped to her, clinging very tightly before kissing Alex fervently on the mouth.

Callie pulled back with the widest grin Alex had ever seen emerge from her lips.

"Whoa! I missed you, too, Cal." Alex breathed as she giggled. She reached for Callie's waist to steady her back to her feet. "What are you doing here? It's literally five minutes from here to our unit."

"I missed you." The younger girl bowed her head down, frowning. "We don't see each other a lot anymore. This week alone we've only hung out once. I thought we were supposed to be making the most out of our two weeks? Tomorrow's my last day, DP. I don't want to go to work and know that I'm regretting it the moment I step through the door because I won't be able to see you. Are you tired of me?"

Callie inhaled deeply, eyes widening as she realized they did not necessarily establish any form of commitment. She was embarrassed by her outburst and feared that she might have scared Alex.

"Do I sound like a clingy...person?"

Juggling tasks had always been something Alex was skilled in. With partying, overtime work for her sister, and her regular hours in her hands plus managing Felicity's demanding hang out time, Alex had lots of practice to prepare her for her second job. She had to learn an application that frustrated her to her wits end but eventually learned in a day's time. Six days since accepting the job, Alex spent her entire day off completing projects. She had managed to sketch ideas while on break, scribbling them in napkins or various different blank pages.

However, she never anticipated her insatiable need to be with Callie - nothing could ever prepare her for that. Apparently, the younger girl is experiencing the same predicament.

"Oh, Cal. I missed you. I actually still do, even when you're in my arms right now." Alex frowned, feeling remorseful.

The older girl knew they were bound to make sacrifices but she questioned whether or not it was worth losing time with Callie. She pressed her palms against the younger girl's cheeks, looking into her eyes deeply.

"You're not clingy and I'll never get tired of you. I'm so sorry, I just had something to do." She pecked Callie's nose and then her lips. "I thought of you though and you have always been here."

Alex brought Callie's hand to her chest, smiling at her delicately. Callie's lips slowly contorted into a smile, finding comfort in her roommate. It didn't matter if they were words, gestures, her mere presence or a combination of them - Callie seems to just find peace in Alex.

"What did Burk say about the new guy? It's supposed to be his third day today." Callie asked as she pulled Alex towards the stairs to head to their apartment. She led the way with Alex a couple of steps behind her. "We don't really work together. I have only spoken to him once."

"Wesley?" The green-eyed girl asked, stitching her brows as she thought of Callie's replacement. "He's okay. He does some fancy shmancy juggling every now and again. He loves it when patrons howl and, well, just anyone's attention fuels him really." She scoffed, her mouth slightly parted. "Show off."

"Could you be nice for once?" The younger girl jested - glancing back at Alex. She stopped walking when they got to the landing, halfway through the trek up to their floor. "I didn't like being the object to your torturous tendencies. Once upon a time, you enjoyed ridiculing me." She reminded her, smirking.

Alex rolled her eyes, sporting a mischievous closed-lip smile. "Yeah, but that was because I wanted you to talk to me." She reasoned, challenging Callie. "Your ignoring tendencies does not help with just a casual conversation, BB. You would have glared and turn your back on me. Admit it!"

Callie wanted to counter her roommate's statement but came empty handed. She'd think of something but wouldn't push through as she thought they would never suffice. Instead, she started giggling, infecting Alex.

Laughing slowly diminished until it was just a contented sigh with smiles painting their lips. Somehow, it had become a normal occurrence for them. No one would have predicted how far they've come. If there was anyone who had an accurate prediction, it was Denise - their other roommate. Denise knew her roommates would come around.

"It's quite nostalgic - thinking back on how we met and where we are right now." Callie acknowledged, taking Alex's hands in hers. "Achievements, no matter how big or small, just become a little more significant when you look back to where everything started."

Alex nodded in agreement, throwing Callie's hands over her shoulders as hers made their way over the younger girl's lower back. "Fun times?"

Callie nodded, leaning in to kiss her roommate. Their kisses had grown hungrier given all the days that they were deprived of each other. The anticipation drowned them - preventing their lungs from functioning. Hearts frantically beating like savage beasts struggling to escape their cages.

Eventually, Callie pulled back. She feared she would mindlessly rid Alex of her clothing and take her right there which wouldn't be a smart choice. Composing herself, she began to head up the second half of the stairs, leaving Alex smiling like an i***t.

Something caught the green-eyed girl's eyes. She was smirking as she thought of all the things she wanted to do. Callie's skinny jeans wrapped her plump behind gloriously and Alex's eyes were bulging out as she retrained her hands from reaching for them.

"Hey, BB! I hope you realize that because you're walking in front of me, your ass is practically waving - asking me to squeeze it. Just so you know."

Callie shook her head, biting her lips to suppress a smile. "Real mature, Alex. Real mature." She lightheartedly chastised.

When they finally reached their floor, the younger girl stopped which caught Alex off guard. The green-eyed girl almost slammed her body against Callie's back which wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

"Turn around." Callie commanded the moment she, too, swiveled in her place. She pulled Alex's scarf from her neck, folding it in half as she waited.

"Why?"

The brown-eyed brunette grabbed Alex's shoulders and pivoted her roommate herself. "I'm putting a blindfold on you. You keep staring at my ass."

An unrestrained and resounding chuckle was released from Alex's mouth but did not protest more than her usual comments. She found the gesture to be the right mix of amusing and adorable which she often finds in Callie and her antics.

"I could just walk ahead you know."

"This is better." Callie insisted. She was too engrossed on tying the scarf over the older girl's eyes, making sure she didn't conceal Alex's nose and restrict her from breathing.

"Where are we going?"

"Just follow me." The younger girl grabbed Alex's hand, interlacing their fingers as she led the way to their apartment.

Alex pulled Callie back, making her halt. "How do you expect me to follow you when I have this stupid thing on? Blindfold ring a bell to you?"

"Lady, need I remind you about the part where your hand is in mine?"

Alex was wondering how the thought never even registered in her mind. There was a ruckus in her chest from the contact and yet she felt like Callie's hand belong with hers. It just felt too natural like it had always been there since the beginning of time.

Callie positioned Alex a good distance from the couch. She was nervous for the big reveal, fearing that her instincts might not be right. However, there was no turning back - what's done is done. Carefully, she untangled the scarf that obscured Alex's vision.

The green-eyed girl's mouth dropped as she saw the familiar paintings of the same bunch of bananas they made some two weeks ago. They were identically encased in a simple black frame with neutral-colored mat boards. Alex's hands made it to her mouth, turning to Callie who looked horribly nervous.

"You had them framed?"

Callie cautiously nodded, cringing at the thought of Alex's anger. She could not really identify if Alex's shock was of happiness or not but hoped it was the former.

"Is it a bad choice? I sh-"

"No! Not at all!" Alex quickly interrupted, holding Callie by the arms. "Thank you! Thank you, Cal. I could just squish these cheeks."

Sure enough, Alex did reach for her roommate's cheeks, giving them a light squeeze before repeatedly kissing her lips. Her body was overwhelmed with her love for Callie. It was seeping out of her and yet she still did not have the courage to confess her real feelings for the younger girl. Alex then dropped her arms around Callie's torso, holding her in place.

"Why didn't you tell me you were picking them up though?"

Callie's cheeks flushed, reddening significantly. Seeing Alex so happy caused her to decide against telling the older girl about her encounter with Colin.

"I wanted to surprise you." She timidly mumbled.

"God, I really lo-ike you."

Alex's chest started pounding as her eyes gawked. Her palms moistened as sweat broke out of her skin. Her mouth was abnormally dry while her throat could not nurse the massive lump lodged within. Alex was certain her cheeks were as red as a tomato. She did not just have a slip up.

Thankfully, Callie giggled. She did not suspect or assume anything. "Was that a terrible attempt at a British accent?"

The green-eyed girl let out a breath of relief, she was ready to pass out and just call it a day. That would be very suspicious though and so, she decided to just divert the conversation.

Shrugging indifferently, Alex suggested, "We should celebrate. There are a lot to celebrate - your new job, my new job, you and me."

Callie's breath hitched as her eyes gawked. She never thought Alex would just abandon her beloved workplace. It just didn't seem feasible. However, it was Callie's turn to conceal her gaped mouth with both her hands. She tried to find any hint of remorse from Alex's eyes but could not find any. Instead, she found light and happiness which made walking out on a peacefully sleeping Alex worthwhile.

"Oh my god! Are you leaving Chug, too?"

A light chuckle emanated from Alex's mouth as she brimmed of adoration for her roommate. She was certain she could inflict love to other people just by touching them with how big her swollen heart is. "I haven't talked to Dorsey yet. But yeah, I think I will."

"You accepted Rachel's offer?"

Alex tilted her head, scrutinizing Callie. Slowly, she retracted her hands from her roommate's body, feeling a noticeable feeling of betrayal seeping in her veins. She had never told anyone of the offer. She made both Denise and Rachel hold back on the information until she officially accepted the job.

Could it be? She asked herself. Alex was disbelieving and yet she was drawn to the conclusion that it was Callie who meddled with her journal.

"Exactly...h-how did you know?"

"I...um...kinda s-sent...the pictures to them."

Callie was quick to succumb to her guilt. She could not understand if her pulse slowed down or if her heart stopped beating entirely. She felt cold, too cold that all the color from her face vanished. At the time, it was a good idea and Callie's intentions were good. She only wanted Alex to have options in case she decided it was time to move on from the bartending job. However, she could not deny how tactless that decision was.

Dumbfounded, Alex remained silent. She could not figure out if she should feel repulsed of the intrusion given that Callie is practically in her personal life. Alex opened up to her and had showed her roommate an entry in that journal. She did not even feel the need to close the notebook around Callie.

However, she could not contain the feeling of betrayal that was quickly spreading throughout her bloodstream. She wanted to be left with her thoughts and find peace, and the only way she thought she could achieve it was in a cold white room.

"Excuse me. I'll just shower."

It felt unfair to be happy one minute and be robbed of it before it could linger another minute later.

Callie could only nod, unable to formulate enough words to make a coherent sentence. But she was not going to let another problem hinder their joy. She's had enough of ignoring Alex. She's had enough of all the stress and anxiety. She just wants to be happy...with Alex and she somehow knew what she wanted to do.

The green-eyed brunette had just turned the shower on when she heard the bathroom door open and close successively. She did not think much of it, instead drenching her long dark mane in the relaxing water that pulsed from the shower as she was keen on just stepping away from her problems for the mean time.

However, Alex was quickly pulled out from her task when she heard the curtain slide. She swallowed hard as she made out the figure that appeared from the steam that her hot water created. Her eyes traveled from Callie's dark eyes down to her bare body. A surge of adrenaline travelled through her own body and there was no thinking about it anymore.

Alex and Callie wanted it. They needed it - the kind of intimacy and closeness that they have yet to discover. Both of them craved it and since there were no clothes left to take off, no more thinking twice and most importantly, no more strong attraction to hide - they let go.

The green-eyed girl grabbed her roommate and spun them around so Callie's back was against the cold wall causing the younger girl to take a sharp breath as she hissed with the sudden contact. Callie ravenously stared at Alex as she breathed through her mouth.

She nodded which Alex took as a cue.

Both women never thought their first time would happen in their ordinary, humdrum bathroom that they use several times a day without much thought or meaning. It was different kind of special - a celebration of their unsaid love. There was a definite profession of love yet they could never deny the covetousness desire that had been built up in their hunger for one another.

"Is this your idea of a celebration?" Callie smirked, panting as she was still pinned firmly against the wall.

Alex pulled her head from Callie's neck, shaking her head in amusement as a grin grazed her perfectly shaped lips. "Not really, but who's complaining?"

The initial purpose of a plain and simple shower had been hindered several times when one of them would yank the other for another round. Seconds and minutes were easily spent along with excessive amounts of hot water. Steam had filled their secluded space while whimpers and moans along with unrestrained lust-laced words and various profanities bounced off the walls.

Callie's smile disappeared as soon as she stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel around two hours later. She was horrified to see Denise, Rachel and Jazmin occupying their kitchen table. The warmth that cloaked her aroused skin swiftly lowered as shivers ran down her spine. She froze in her spot while Alex was still exiting the room in the same article of clothing, smiling contentedly.

The moment the green-eyed girl noticed how stiff her roommate was, she followed her gaze and was met with suggestive and knowing looks coupled by unforgiving smirks. All three of their friends were obviously stifling their laughter and were not necessarily doing a good job at it.

"What?" Alex defensively asked, smiling to herself. She was not as horrified as Callie but would have appreciated their friends not hearing them in the heat of the moment. "What are you guys doing here? Denise, I thought you won't be home 'til four?" She pointed at her cousin in disbelief.

Callie just wanted to get out of there. The warmth that cloaked her entire head was sure to make her already red cheeks redder. She rushed to her room but stopped by the door when she heard Denise speak.

"Callie, before you disappear in shame, the women and I were planning on throwing a party to celebrate you and Alex's new jobs the week after next." Denise's voice came out a notch higher and shakier as she was beginning to laugh. "Are you up for that?"

Callie frantically nodded before disappearing in her room, leaving Alex standing there, biting her lips.

"Okay..." Jazmin began, elongating her pronunciation of the word. There was an apparent confusion in her eyes that were below her furrowed brows, pointing to both women with her index finger. "When did this happen?"

"More importantly, how?" Rachel chimed in, as eager as Jazmin but smirked knowingly, tilting her head slightly. "I was mostly weirded out by what we heard but I was more curious."

Denise sat back and enjoyed Alex's slowly reddening cheeks. She knew something was up but hearing them actually do it was something else, far different from just knowing.

Alex's eyes widened, darting glances among the three women. Maybe she should have followed Callie's lead and ran to her room. It was a better idea than standing there and answering unnecessary questions. She was not ready for an interrogation. She scowled at Denise who was never fazed by her. She practically ran to her room yelling,

"A while ago! Your calexis ship has set sail!"