xp_logs | Callie & Julian: Have It Out (backdated) (Reply)

Callie seeks out Julian to finally have it out after Fred's accident.

(OOC: BACKDATED to Last Night)

Julian was at one of the windows in the library, curled up with a book as the cold November rain fell against the pane glass windows. The book he was reading was part of some assigned break reading for class, and was very, very dull. The email from Callie was still boiling under his skin, making it hard to concentrate.

For once Callie was in the library solely to return a book as opposed to her usual camping out doing homework. She had been spending far too much time there recently, and couldn't be more prepared for her weekend escape. Okay, she still had to finish packing, but that was just a minor point. And while she had enough homework to keep her busy up in Vermont, it still didn't hurt to wander the stacks for a few minutes and grabbing a leisure book. Sadly, it seemed, there were none to be found, and thus she made her way toward the exit, but not before catching sight of a familiar form moping by the window.

There was a slight flare up of anger and annoyance, which Callie settled with a deep breath as she headed toward the windows. "We need to talk," she said pulling out a chair and sitting across from her classmate.

With only a moment of thought, Julian looked up from his book, then back down to the printed page. "Did you ever go down to see Fred?"

"No. But I've been saying all the decades of the rosary every day for him."

"Then I don't think we have anything to talk about."

She sighed heavily and ran her fingers through her hair pushing it off her face. "Julian. I don't think you understand," she leaned in toward him reaching out and pulling the book away. "I couldn't go in there. I couldn't. I'm down there every single day so you know I thought about it, but I couldn't do anything but walk straight past his room. And now he's gone."

Making a grab for the book, nearly cost him his seat. Julian crossed his arms over his chest and sank into the cushions of the window seat. "And why couldn't you?"

"Because I was scared. I still am scared." Callie leaned in on her elbows. "It hurts, Julian. It wasn't him in that bed."

"You know what, Callie, I'm scared too. Fred is my friend," he leaned forward, "I know he was more than that to you, so why couldn't you be there when he was in need? Some people think that people in comas can hear us, your voice might have helped."

She shook her head, and brought a hand up to wipe the wetness from her eye. "Hearing is the last sense to go," she sniffled. "But I don't think he would have wanted to hear my voice. That last memory he has of me was of us fighting."

Despite the anger he had toward Callie he found himself softening slightly, "So what? Do you think he really cared? You're supposed to be smart Callie- he pretty much loved you and you can't go see him because of a fight?"

"I can't handle seeing him like that. If he had been that would have been one thing. But I didn't think I could handle seeing him lay there, when it wasn't really him, you know? It's hard for me," she looked down.

"It's been hard for all of us, Callie," Julian sighed. "But while you've been retreating in on yourself the rest of us have been relying on each other."

Callie shook her head. "You know it's kinda hard to do that when your best friend is refusing to make eye contact let alone speak to you." She drummed her fingers on the table. "Yeah I've been avoiding people on the whole for a number of reasons, but I'm working on it. I don't want to lose myself again."

"So you're seriously concerned about Fred?" Julian fixed her with a hard stare, looking through her.

"Of course I am? Why wouldn't I be?"

"You didn't seem too concerned when I told you."

She shot him the patented "You've got to be kidding me" look, although significantly softened given the seriousness of the conversation. It quickly dissolved as Callie shook her head saying, "I was in shock. I don't handle things like that very well."

Holding up his hands, Julian came to his own defense, "How was I supposed to know that? I was expecting tears and whatever, but all I get is, 'Oh'."

"I'm sorry I didn't burst into tears and female hysterics at the mention of your news?"

"See, that's more what I was expecting." Julian sighed and uncrossed his arms, "You're a weird woman, Callie."

"We all deal with things differently," she reminded him. "I may not have burst into what you consider to be an appropriate emotional response, but I assure you Fred's accident did impact me."

"Fine," Julian threw up his arms. "I'm sorry I've been an asshole lately...again."

Shrug. "It's okay, I'm used to it." Callie slid his book back across the table before pushing herself out of her chair. "Have a good Thanksgiving Julian. I'll see you on Monday."