xp_logs | Julian & Callie: Hangover Helper (Reply)

Julian runs into Callie and the two reconcile in the wake of recent events.

The ringing in his head was starting to subside as Julian turned the water off and dried himself with his gray towel. "Never again, Keller," he said to himself. The steam filled the small bathroom and fogged up the mirror, making him wipe it off before styling his hair and brushing his teeth. He'd laid out his work out clothes before he'd popped into the shower, still amazed that no one had smelled the booze on his breath when he came inside- 'I really owe Dori for that.'

Dressed and donned with sunglasses, Julian picked up his acid green towel- which hurt his eyes this morning- and headed for the gym. In all the times he'd drank, he'd only been hungover a couple times. The first time had been murder, fortunately his parents had been out of town. The second time he'd discovered a way to get the toxins out of his system- by systematically sweating them out in the weight room.

Unfortunately for him, although Doreen had assisted him in entering the mansion unnoticed, she had informed her roommate of Julian's condition. That worried Callie, so she set out to find him and make sure he was okay. Having just missed the young man at his room, she set off into the hallways trying to intercept him on his way to the gym. Luckily her legs were long, and she was on a mission, so catching up proved to be rather easy.

"Julian," she called out as her paced quickened toward him. "Wait up!"

"You look like hell."

"You look amazing today too, Calster," if she was still mad at him, he had no desire to fight right now. He didn't stop walking, though he did slow as he reached the stairs. "Need something?"

"I"m checking in on you?" She quickly maneuvered in front of you. "Dori told me she found you on the roof, and you still smell of alcohol."

"God dammit," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I showered twice already, how the hell can you smell it?" Finally stopping he sat down on the plush carpet with an exhausted grunt.

Callie plopped down beside him. "Because you drank a lot, and I have a sensitive nose." She lay a hand on his arm and looked over at her friend. "Wanna tell me what happened?"

"Huh?" he looked at the pink hand on his tan arm. She was being nice... this was unexpected. "Um, what do you mean?"

"I heard a little about what happened at prom," she explained. She pushed the hair out of her face to better see him, giving him a look of concern. "I'm sorry."

"What did you hear?" It would be interesting to hear the story from another point of view- or at least to hear whatever version the Stepfords had been passing around the school at this point.

Callie shrugged. "Just that Angel walked in on you and Esme kissing and she broke up with you."

While it wasn't exactly the way things happened, it was close enough to the truth. "Yeah, that sounds right." He gave her a sidelong look, a little perturbed that people were believing this whole thing so easily. "So two-timing jackasses you're okay with?"

"Julian, you're my friend," she explained slowly. "I was pissed at you because I love you, which sounds weird but it's true. But I know that you aren't that big of a jackass, more like a mild jerk at times." Callie shifted closer and lay her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry for staying mad at you."

If it weren't for the pain surging through his head, Julian's face would have been surprised. "Yeah, okay. I'm sorry too, Callie." He put an arm around her and gave her a little squeeze. "You're a better person than I am, for what its worth."

"Not really," she leaned against him, "I'm petty and shallow at times, caring more about how people look at me than the people who matter."

Julian scoffed, "Yeah, well, I was a pretty big jerk- and I'm always shallow." He looked around, making sure no one was around, "I dunno what I'm going to do with this situation," he sighed. "Doreen thinks I can get Angel back, but...I'm not so sure."

Her head tilted as Callie strained to look up at her friend. "Well she's probably really upset with you, but... that choice is yours man. She's probably not going to be in any mindset to talk to you. But if you do decide to try and talk to her? Here's some advice: don't be a jerk."

"Gee thanks, Callie. Your confidence in me is astounding." He continued in a mumble, not intending for her to be able to hear, "Not like I wanted to kiss, Esme."

"So why did you," came the response. "Kiss her I mean."

Damn her elf ears and sensitive senses. "I didn't exactly have a choice in the matter," he said sardonically- staring off at the bottom of the stairs.

Callie shifted in place, resting her chin on his shoulder. It made her a little cross eyed, but it was easier than talking into his chest. "So why don't you tell me what happened?"

"I...I dunno, we were outside and then, she tried to kiss me...I said no. The next thing I know we're kissing." He kept glancing around, the last thing he needed right now was for Angel to walk in with Callie leaning on his shoulder.

Her arms wrapped around him as Callie pulled Julian into a tight hug. This was really upsetting to him, she could tell. But there was nothing she could really do, except be there. "No matter what happens I'm here for you Julian," she said. "Everything will work out, maybe not the way you want it to, but it will. I promise."

It was harder than he thought it would be to talk about- he knew what had happened, she'd forced him and it'd cost him a great deal. "Thank you, Callie." He hugged her back, warmly, platonicly. "Glad we're not fighting anymore."

"Me too J-Dawg," she replied, hugging him tighter. "Me too."

He blinked, not having been called J-Dawg since his days in the Lords. "Um, Callie...please don't call me that." For the first time in two days, he actually smiled- he was very lucky to have Callie as a friend.

"Fine." There was a dramatic sigh as Callie untangled herself from the hug and stood up, offering Julian her hand. "Come on let's go do something completely awesome. I think action movies are in order. How about you?"

The hangover cure would have to wait, Vin Diesel was calling his name and there was no point in making Callie mad at him again. "Something in Italian perhaps?"

"Nah. I've had enough of those for a bit," she helped pull him up and slipped her arm under his, "how about some good old fashioned Indiana Jones? Oooh, or Star Wars?" She nudge him with her hip. "Gentleman's choice."