The Other Roommate

15 - Impending Adjustments

"Hello?" Callie incredulously spoke as soon as she closed the door to her room, phone against her ear. Her brows furrowed in confusion while the undeniable discomfort within her stirred her once blissful state.

Callie was convinced that no matter the kind of news she would receive from her childhood friend, even if Jazmin thinks it was a positive one, it will somehow transform into something damaging. She was so sure of it that she would put any prized possession on the line.

There was just an unsettling vibe to Jazmin's phone call.

The bartender sat on the edge of her bed, aimlessly staring at the door knob. She was in a mixture of stupor and anxiety. Callie could not understand why she was so uncomfortable. She writhed in her seat, inching herself to different directions, different positions but nothing was working. Every bit of her body felt itchy that she found herself scratching the side of her neck to her lower back - even her chin.

"Callie!" Jazmin exclaimed rather excitedly, forgetting all the pleasantries. Her excitement was uncanny that Callie could see Jazmin's mischievous grin vividly. "I'm so glad you're up!"

"You're rather..." Callie trailed off, looking for the perfect word to encapsulate her friend's mood. "Perky. A notch higher and I would think you were high, Jazmin." She jested, desperate to at least lighten the load in her tightening chest.

Jazmin giggled giddily for a good moment before gasping for air. Callie's apparent discomfort seemed to have tickled her funny bone. She had always found Callie's pessimistic tendencies to be humorous.

"I just couldn't wait to tell you something."

The younger girl was not amused by her childhood friend's laughing. It was stressing her out even more that her stomach was twisting in the tightest knots. But there it was - the news Callie was bracing to hear. She was praying it wasn't related to Sydney Tucker and the awkward triangle Sydney has created. Callie was now too invested, too attached to Alex to honor any wish Jazmin would have made in Sydney's favor.

However, that was not it and Callie could feel it. It was different, something related to change and she was terrified of change.

"What is it?" She cautiously queried, the loops that formed in her belly slowly dragged her weary cardiovascular organ to an acidic oblivion.

"Dad asked about you." Jazmin retorted simply, her giddy tone masked by a feigned indifference.

"Tell him I said hi?" Callie ran a hand through her hair before crashing back onto the well-made bed with her legs still dangling over the edge. She laid the length of her forearm across both her eyes, coping with her creeping drowsiness. "And I'm failing to see the importance of this phone call."

Jazmin let out an exasperated sigh with the hopes of composing herself from all the excitement and, well, frustration. "He said if you are interested, he wants you to work at the firm while you get a basic certificate for Paralegal studies."

"Jazmin, I can't afford the tuition." Annoyed, the bartender dropped her arm to the side as her eyes shot open. She did not have to be reminded of her own financial capability. She was staring at the ceiling, thinking about Jazmin's grin and it was annoying her. "I don't even know how that stuff works."

"Callie, he's paying for it while paying you some big bucks!" Jazmin said in a tone as if it was the obvious when it wasn't. She was starting to sound sassy. "Don't worry about it. That's what training and the certificate are for."

"Wow...Okay..." Callie trailed off, unsure of what to say next. She was at a loss for words. She was in an odd mixture of amazement and despondency.

There might have been a slight sense of relief that washed over Callie given the news was not about Sydney, but that did not silence her painfully tugging gut. She knew something would mess with what she had with Alex. The kind of person Alex is to her was just too good to be true. The green-eyed brunette had easily been her ideal partner regardless of gender.

Callie was happy at Chug. She might not be living her dream but she's happy. Her happiness had been in the form of a green-eyed brunette with a mouth like a sailor and the kindest of hearts.

However, Jazmin's offer was a bus ride towards her goal. It will even drop her off at the steps of her dream school. But instead of celebrating, she was bizarrely unhappy. She knew she had to leave Chicago one day to attend Cornell University because that had always been the dream. She was just not as motivated to go there anymore.

Although, Callie will be able to progress in her career. The job would pave for better and brighter futures and yet she could not envision one without Alex. She will have to leave Chug to move forward.

And that was the thing, what about Alex?

"Is that an okay yes? Or an okay I'm confused and I'll think about it?" Jazmin dubiously probed, uncertain of her friend's answer.

"Both?"

Callie knew that she had to find another job. Being a bartender was just not as practical as it should be. The late night hours would not be an advantage to her in the long run, especially when thinking about raising a family. Why was she even thinking about raising a family?

"Yay!" Jazmin joyously exclaimed, giggling afterwards. She was genuinely happy for Callie and being an instrument to her impending success. "I don't care if you're confused as long as you said yes." Her voice was significantly higher and quite forced as she was barely managing to speak with her glee.

"That means I have to leave Chug..." Callie trailed off, whispering the last part of her sentence. “It means I have to leave Alex.”

She was still in a daze that her eyes never quivered. It stayed focused on the certain part of the ceiling with a yellowish water stain. Callie could not believe it - she was in shock and was unnervingly anxious.

"Yes, Callie! You're finally back on track!" Jazmin celebrated, unable to detect the sadness in Callie's tone. For a person who grew up with her, Jazmin was quite blinded by that little detail.

"I was on the right one." The bartender mindlessly murmured in her stupor which came out as a low whisper.

"I'm sorry. What was that again?"

"Nothing." Callie swiftly shook her head to rid herself of the bewilderment. She lifted her free hand to rub her temples, closing her eyes as the pressure soothed her. "Just thank you, Jazmin!"

The two childhood friends said their goodbyes after agreeing to meet in the afternoon with two opposing poles of emotions. While Jazmin was practically leaping in happiness for Callie - Callie, on the other hand was left with her thoughts. And for good, logical reasons, her thoughts were of Alex.

What would Alex say? What would Alex do? More importantly, what would Alex feel? And how will she deliver the news to her?

Callie and Alex have never talked about what they were in terms of their friendship or relationship. Both just silently knew they meant more to each other than everyone else in their lives. Callie is naturally affectionate to everyone. She would offer her hugs freely as if they would not make her exert muscles. But she held Alex tighter and kissed her with all her love and adoration. For Alex, she had been strong. Callie mustered every ounce of her bravery and courage to assure her roommate in her insecurities - to be there the source of strength amid Alex's breaking down.

Alex had always been different around Callie, everyone could tell - including the younger brunette. While Alex would share snarky jokes with her coworkers and friends, she would never look at them delicately - she would never speak of them fondly - she would never talk to them about her fears - and she would not allow them to see her vulnerability. That was enough reassurance for Callie. And that toothy smile Alex beamed only for her, everyone knew that was special as she only typically smirked.

Callie was forced out of her thoughts when she heard two solid knocks. For some odd reason, the sound of wood against the human knuckles exuded confidence - it had a form of command. And there could only be one person who could do that and Callie wanted to see her.

"Come in!"

"Hey BB!" Alex peered her head in as soon as she pushed the timber structure open. Her tone was light and cheerful and Callie instantly felt better. However, Alex's grin was immediately wiped off her face when she was how Callie's face looked tensed. "I was getting worried about you and I guess I was right to. Everything okay, Cal?"

She took a curious yet seemingly uninvited step into the threshold and was relieved to not have been stopped by her roommate. She lightly kicked the door to close, making a gentle click.

Callie closed her eyes in defeat, her hand still gracing her temples. She will surely miss hearing those nicknames all the time. Maybe she was being melodramatic - it wasn't like she will have to leave the apartment as well. She didn't have to go to New York just yet but she was being emotional.

So, she reluctantly dropped her hand to the side and lifted her head to force a smile in the hopes of reassuring Alex, saying, "Just dandy, DP."

Callie's voice came out bitter and her smile looked nothing more than a pathetic contortion of muscles which made Alex worry about her even more. She went back to her staring competition with the inanimate ceiling. Alex knew her roommate would not speak about it unless she would do it freely. She would never force Callie into doing something she didn't want to. That does not include their first encounter though.

"So, I just wanted to say good might because I think I'll turn in." Alex hesitantly stated, feeling quite insecure about herself. She wanted to do something, anything. She awkwardly pointed to the direction of her room with her index finger. "You know where to find me if you need anything. I'm just...uh," She nervously scratched the back of her neck, slightly smiling. "Just literally next d-"

"Cuddle with me?" Without looking at Alex, Callie interrupted her before she could finish.

It didn't sound like a request and it sure wasn't a demand. It was right in the middle of those two. Either way, Alex was stunned. Her brows rose as her eyes widened significantly with her mouth gaping in disbelief. She was not sure if she had heard Callie right. In all the months they had shared the apartment together, they had never fallen asleep in the same bed, or even a couch, let alone in each other's arms. Neither of them had even been in the other's bed.

Alex was nervous, like she usually is around Callie. Her pulse had picked up pace while she struggled to breathe with her useless lungs while the pace her pulse was taking suffocated her. Alex was about to choke. Taking a deep breath, she complied after the initial shock wore off.

You're supposed to be confident, Alex, Alex scolded herself.

Callie scooted up to bed and to one side to make room for her roommate as Alex took timid steps toward her. She was still quite shaken by Callie's compelling request. A couple more steps and Alex's lungs were about to shut down on her. She took a sharp breath as her skin came in contact with Callie's duvet.

Insecurely sliding inside it, Alex took another deep breath and tried to make herself comfortable and she wasn't. She was not accustomed to laying on her back and was not quite sure how to move in Callie's bed. However, Alex experienced yet another mild heart attack as Callie inched her way to her, laying her tired head on the older girl's chest.

The brown-eyed girl's arm instantly slung around Alex's midsection as Alex swung hers over Callie's back. The older girl's hand affectionately stroked Callie's lower back. The movement caused Callie to take a deep calming breath, relishing the soothing effect Alex inflicted upon her.

"Can you sleep here before I have to go to work?" Callie quietly spoke. Her voice did not have the same confidence and stiffness in it. It was apprehensive even.

"Of course." Alex placidly breathed, kissing the top of Callie's head.

She could feel Callie's desolation through her words and how she clung to her like a baby sloth afraid to fall off a tree. As always, Alex wanted to make her feel better. She is familiar with the different spectrum of pain and does not want Callie to feel the slightest one.

So, Alex did what she seems to be doing best.

The older girl was already smiling as she thought of something. It was a shame no one could see the beautifully blissful toothless smile on her lips. Her heart was slowly beginning to be taking on a normal pace but was still breathless as the feeling of Callie's body overlapping hers inundated her consciousness.

Stroking Callie's upper arm, she lightly and affectionately spoke, "BB,"

"Yeah?" Callie retorted sleepily yet inquisitively. She adjusted her head, slightly looking up to Alex's jaw.

"How do you shoot a killer bee?"

"I don't know." A small smile grazed Callie's lips as she knew what was to come. She was unapologetically excited. She had been yearning to hear Alex's corny jokes since that day they went on the painting workshop.

"You shoot it with a bee-bee gun." Alex retorted casually but Callie could hear how excited she was as her ear was pressed tightly against Alex's chest. The green-eyed brunette's heart was beating heavily against her chest, it wasn't rapid but was forceful.

Callie amusingly huffed, smiling contentedly at Alex's words. She didn't have to laugh for Alex to know it lit the mood up. Callie buried her head further into Alex's chest, appreciating the older girl's natural scent.

"Go to sleep, Rivera." She lightheartedly commanded, happily clinging tighter.

"I will." Alex smiled contentedly, sighing. She planted another delicate kiss on Callie's head before settling back on the plump pillow. "Now that I've made you smile."

Callie unexpectedly kissed the middle of Alex's chest, where her cardiovascular organ would be. The gesture caused a colossal explosion to erupt from Alex's heart and swiftly travelled through her body. Alex could feel her temperature quickly rising while goose bumps decided to graze her soft skin. A tingly sensation shot up from Alex's spine up to the back of her neck.

"I've always wanted to kiss your heart since that day we went out painting." Callie affectionately began, eyes kept shut. "I told you you have me even when your eyes are closed. I also wanted to let you know your heart is allowed to feel what you're feeling. You have to know you can feel anything and someone will always want to share that with you. The slightest pain and the smallest speck of bliss will always matter to me because I care so much about you."

Stunned was only the beginning of what Alex felt after hearing Callie speak. For a moment, she was worried about how ragged her breathing had become and knowing her roommate could hear it. Her heart wasn't as calm either but it was in the best way possible. She was glad she was lying down, otherwise she would have collapsed on the floor.

Alex was allowed to feel vulnerable and she has never been told that, nor was she assured it was okay.

"I care about you, too."

Alex dozed off several minutes after Callie. She was quietly contemplating on her conversation with Denise, and after Callie said those heartfelt words, her head was uncontrollably spinning. She did not know what they were. It was consuming her to great ends and she does not like not knowing. But she sought comfort in the fact that they were there, together.

"What are we, Cal?" She whispered, stroking Callie's hair lovingly. "What are we? Because I know I love you and when you love someone, doesn't that mean that we should date? But I'm scared, Cal. But I love you so much. I've never loved anyone as much as I love you. Not to be cocky, but I'm sure no one could love you like I do."

"I love you, Cal."

Alex swam in her thoughts, curiously poking at every little detail until she was too exhausted to stay awake. Nothing else mattered after that. She was with Callie and the girl is clinging onto her fervently. Alex succumbed to deep sleep and closed her eyes.

It was probably one of the most peaceful slumbers both could ever ask for. They were tangled in each other as their bodies were pressed comfortably, combining their scents. Alex kept a protective arm over Callie's slender body and they stayed meshed together.

Alex was woken up by a mild rustling roughly eight hours later. Being a light sleeper has its good and bad days. She could hear clothes being whisked away as the hook of coat hangers glide over the rack. The older girl stretched her limbs, pushing down on her toes as her arms were extended to her sides.

It was Callie, trying to fit her fresh laundry in her closet. She thought she was producing very minimal noise but was proven wrong when Alex grunted. Callie saw the movement, and quietly made her way to the bed, finally done with her task. She observed Alex's features, noting the slightly puffy face that radiated with nothing but serenity.

She waited until Alex's green eyes revealed themselves, only for her to make Alex's eyelids fall back down as Callie leaned in and planted a tender kiss on Alex's lips.

"I'm sorry for waking you up." Her minty breath grazed Alex's nostrils. She was gratified to have known the kiss had the same effect on Alex as it does to her.

The older girl tranquilly grinned with her eyes still comfortably closed. "Wake me up all you want as long as I get those." She murmured, her mouth barely opening.

Callie leaned back down to affectionately peck Alex's lips again.

Alex satisfyingly hummed, taking a much needed breath of air. "That feels good."

"I know." Callie blissfully giggled, watching her roommate closely.

Alex suddenly snapped her eyes open, widening in shock and embarrassment at the same time. She cupped her mouth with both her hands realizing she had just woken up and had not brushed her teeth.

"You might want to hold that off until I brush my teeth." Her voice may have been muffled by her hands but her eyes spoke volumes. She was mortified that she even let Callie stay that close to her.

Callie's mouth gaped in disbelief just as her brows rose. Her lips were slowly forming into an amused open-mouth grin. "You're kidding, right?"

The older girl firmly shook head.

"You don't want these lips on yours?" Callie feigned indignation and disappointment, pitifully looking down with her lips puckered while her brows furrowed. "They hurt, Alex. I need you to make it feel better."

Alex was losing. Her solid front was quickly being dissolved by the adorable display in front of her, only a couple of inches from her face. There was no way she could say no.

"Come here."

Callie happily obliged, kissing Alex passionately as her hand made its way to the older girl's cheek. Alex held onto her roommate's waist, holding her gently. They were experiencing euphoria and were not willing to let go just yet.

The younger girl wanted to make Alex happy. She was hoping the past happiness would make up for the future pain she will inflict. The change would affect their dynamic significantly.

"I don't think it's six or five yet, why are you dressed for work?" Alex queried as soon as they parted.

Callie shrugged, reluctant to share the details of her appointment. Her blissful state was once again stolen from her too soon. "It's three. Jazmin wants to see me."

Alex nodded in understanding. She didn't do much protest - she even released Callie from her grasp. "Okay. Don't have too much fun without me."

"Doubt it." Callie grinned, relieved that her roommate didn't ask questions she wasn't willing to answer just yet.

She suddenly planted another quick peck before finally straightening herself up and headed for the door. Alex sat up and attempted to step off the bed to move to her room.

"You can stay here until you're really awake." Callie suggested, a delicate smile grazed her lips.

Alex merely nodded which signaled for Callie to saunter towards the door. However, before she could grab the knob, Alex stopped her.

"Maxwell!" Alex hurriedly called out, still sitting on the bed.

"Yo!" Callie swiveled with her mouth forming an "o" shape. She looked at Alex curiously. "What's up?"

"Date tonight, after your shift. Kapeesh?" Alex retorted simply, beaming a closed-lip grin. She resembled an adorable little child with the way she held her chin high and the blissful look on her face.

Callie playfully rolled her eyes, maintaining an amused grin. She shook her head, convincing herself it was wrong to feed to Alex's amusement.

"Yes, princess." She lightheartedly scoffed.

With a wave of a hand, Alex dismissed Callie. She decided on reclaiming the upper hand and she knew which button to push. "Whatever, BB!"

"What does that stupid acronym mean?" Callie exasperatedly stomped, she was growing more and more frustrated with each day of not knowing what her nickname stood for.

Alex was successful. Callie looked like a little child, standing in the middle of the room with a pout on her face. She furrowed her brows at Alex, clenching her jaw as the older girl laughed her happy heart out.

Alex smirked, rocking her brows up and down repeatedly. She decided on playing with her already annoyed roommate further. It was too adorable to watch and too tempting not to.

"Bodacious Bombshell." She chuckled to herself, doubling over in her amusement which left Callie looking at her condescendingly with her hands planted on her waist.

Alex suddenly looked back up as an idea popped in her head. Her face was again flushed red with her incessant laughter which reminded Callie of their day at the painting studio. Alex resumed jerking her brows repeatedly with that beautifully annoying smirk.

"Or bobbing brows, kinda like what I'm doing right now."

Callie looked at her, unimpressed while crossing her arms across her chest. She slightly tilted her head downwards so she could see Alex through her hooded eyes. "I would believe you but I don't think that's it. Bodacious bombshell my ass." She grumbled, ready to go out.

"Is big." Alex muttered, emphasizing on the word. She winked at her, her suggestive smirk slowly widening into a grin. She crumpled her nose, closing her eyes as she nodded. "You're getting there, Merryweather." She lightheartedly commended.

The younger girl curled her lips in annoyance while narrowing her eyes. She always welcomed their little playful banter. She was sure she would miss times like those, especially considering her schedule with Jazmin's father's law firm would be the usual eight in the morning to five in the afternoon. By the time she would get home, Alex would be getting ready to go to work. When she wakes up for work, Alex would be turning in.

The new job has been proving to be a disadvantage more than an advantage as far as her life with Alex was concerned.

"If I didn't have to go to work today, I would choke it out of you." Callie complained, starting to feel genuinely annoyed as she felt her cheeks heat up.

"Kinky, I see." Alex teased even more, eying Callie knowingly. "Talking about our fetishes now, are we, BB?" She lifted her chin up, looking so smug.

Callie huffed in annoyance. She turned on her heels and grabbed the door knob to finally open it and let herself out. She wasn't really that annoyed. Callie was actually embarrassed to be talking about s*x. She isn't a virgin but the topic had just been outlandish to her. It was different actually doing it compared to speaking about it.

"Casual!" Alex hurriedly yelled, just loud enough to make Callie cringe in further embarrassment.

"What?" Callie hissed, desperately trying to mask her humiliation. She was assuming Alex's typical response to embarrassing situations and was miserably failing at it.

"Casual wear, BB. You know, for our date?" Alex spoke in a tone as if she was merely stating the obvious. She shrugged with the famous Alex Rivera smirk unfaltering. "You're just a little too s****l today, darling."

Callie bit her lips, desperately suppressing the grin that fought to emerge. She was quite amused by Alex's rather immature display. Unbeknownst to her was that Alex loved to see her smile and would do absolutely anything just to earn her the happiest, most genuine one.

I will miss this, Callie told herself. She was apologetic and she did not know to whom she was more remorseful for.