Pitbabe S2, Chapter 15 pg8

 Pitbabe S2, Chapter 15 pg8

   Sometimes I’m genuinely amazed at myself for falling for someone like him. We’re so different, and so much about him is hard to handle. I wouldn’t say I hate these traits in Babe, but I also couldn’t go around telling people, “I love super stubborn types!” The truth is, I just love Babe. That’s all there is to it.

   “Hold it together, Charlie, hold it together.”

   I kept telling myself that.

   I counted from one to five in my head.

   When I reached five, the sound of the lab’s front door unlocking echoed. (Truth be told, I counted from one to five really slowly.) As the door swung open, I was ready to unleash a full-on rant, but I snapped my mouth shut when I saw the state of the person who opened it.

   Charlie was wrapped in just a towel, water droplets still clinging to his upper body, his wet hair sticking out in all directions, dripping steadily. No need to guess—he’d just come straight from the shower. He looked at me silently, his expression making it clear he wasn’t exactly thrilled to see me, but he couldn’t resist my stubbornness either.

   “Why’d you come down half-naked?” I scanned him from head to toe.

   “Want me to put some clothes on first then?”

   Only after asking did I realize I shouldn’t have opened my mouth. My words backfired, embarrassing myself for no reason.

   I didn’t know he’d want to put clothes on! I thought he was just messing with me, making me wait out here with the mosquitoes. Sure, back when we were together, he’d pamper me like I was untouchable by bugs, but who knows? After a breakup, he could be a totally different person. Like he’s been today—actually, even right now.

   Charlie can look at me with those cold eyes. I never knew he could.

   “What’s up?” Charlie asked, since I kept staring at him without saying a word.

   “You’re not gonna let me in?”

   “Can’t we talk out here?”

   Look at him! He won’t even let me step foot in his damn lab. Is this the same guy who called me up drunk, pouring his heart out just a few nights ago? Unbelievable.

   “I said the mosquitoes are biting!”

   I spoke firmly, holding out my arm to show him the small red welts on my forearm—proof I wasn’t using mosquitoes as an excuse. Charlie stared at my arm quietly. I couldn’t help but wonder how he’d react. Would he fuss over me like he used to, or would he brush me off like he’s doing now?

   If he doesn’t care, I’d probably feel both humiliated and heartbroken.

   “Papa, mosquito bites!”

   Since Charlie stayed silent, I repeated myself, this time with a firmer tone, staring him down to make it clear he had to say something, whether it was a response I’d like or not.

   Charlie sighed.

   Then he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the lab.

   He didn’t say anything. He didn’t even look at me. But he held my wrist tightly, dragging me to follow him up to the second floor. I didn’t know what to say either, just staring at his bare back with a strange sense of confusion. I came here late at night intending to chew him out to vent my frustration and get answers about that live stream from earlier today. When I saw his cold attitude, I’ll admit I felt hurt and a bit angry. But when he showed concern (mixed with irritation and annoyance) just because I complained about mosquito bites, my heart couldn’t help but leap with uncontrollable joy.

   “Stop staring already. You’ve seen it a hundred times and still haven’t gotten over the excitement?”

   Even his curt way of speaking could still make me break into a smile.

   “I’ve only seen my boyfriend naked, not my ex.”

   It doesn’t even feel like we broke up.

   

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