PERCY.
The morning sun, a persistent golden orb, was already streaming through the blinds, making a mockery of my exhaustion. I was sprawled on Gemini's twin-sized bed, my body curled around his smaller frame, a deep sense of contentment settling over me after the exhausting night I had. The last thing I remembered was getting comfortable on the large beanbag when I decided to help him study last night, we must have moved to the bed afterwards.
Did I doze off? He didn't carry me to the bed, did he? I doubt he did, after all he's way smaller. I usually limit my alcohol intakes when I'm out for formal events but last night tested my patience. In order to avoid certain people and conversations, I turned to downing more glasses of champagne than I can count. And after having a little too much to drink at the party last night, I can't for the life of me remember much of what I did after offering to help Gemini study.
Gemini was a warm weight against my chest, his soft, even breaths a comforting rhythm. I found myself inhaling his scent, thinking I could stay like this forever. But just then, a high-pitched, insistent ringing tore through the quiet. It was the phone, and it was loud enough to wake the dead. I reached for it, still half-asleep, fumbling across the small bedside table. I picked up the phone, not bothering to open my eyes, and mumbled a groggy
"Hello?"
"Bunny? Are you awake yet, sweetie? You have that big test today!" a woman's voice chirped happily on the other end.
My brain, still operating in a dreamlike haze, did a sluggish double-take. Bunny? Who was this woman, and why was she calling me "Bunny"? The name felt so wrong, so uncharacteristic. I didn't bother to hear the rest of her sentence.
"I think you have the wrong number, there's no bunny here." I said, my voice now clear, irritation beginning to prick at the edges of my fatigue.
"Who is this and why are you with my Bunny's phone?" the woman asked. "Listen, if anything happens to my Bunny, you'll be hearing from me!" she threatened, her voice hardening with a surprising fierceness.
It was a threat, but it was also so full of love and worry that it took me a moment to process. I was about to say something else when a sudden, abrupt movement next to me made me open my eyes. Gemini was now upright, his face a mask of mortification as he snatched the phone from my hand. He put the phone to his ear, his voice a quiet whisper,
"Nana, it's me. Yes...Gemini." he said, his voice a quiet whisper. "No, Nana, this is my phone," Gemini explained, his voice strained.
My eyes widened. His phone? I looked down at the tiny table. My wristwatch and my phone were still placed side by side. I looked back at Gemini, and a silent apology passed between us. I had cuddled him in my sleep—a habit I'm quickly getting used to—and I'd picked up his phone instead of mine.
I watched, fully awake now, as he listened intently, his expression shifting from embarrassment to sheer panic. He ran a hand through his messy hair, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape route. His monologue was a frantic, hushed series of explanations, each one more urgent than the last.
"No, Nana, it's not what you think. I'm okay...a strange man? There's no strange man here. I mean, he's not a stranger. He's my senior... yes, he helped me study...he was too tired to go home...what? Of course, he slept on the bed...I'm okay. I swear. No, he's not a weird person..." He listened again, his shoulders slumping with relief before a small smile formed on his face.
"Yes, Nana, I promise I'll be fine. No, he wouldn't do that...okay. I'll call you later after the test. Yes, I know. You too, Nana. Bye. I love you too." He let out a long, shaky sigh, hanging up and letting his arm fall to his side.
I couldn't help but chuckle. "So... Bunny, huh?" I teased, a wide grin spreading across my face.
He glared at me, his eyes full of silent threats. "Don't you dare," he warned, his voice a low, playful growl. "She's not going to let this go." he grumbled, but a small, embarrassed smile was already forming on his face.
"Right," I said, getting to my feet. "Come on, Bunny. Let's get breakfast before you head off to your test." My own stomach rumbled at the thought, and I could tell his was doing the same.
He nodded, a hint of a smile in his eyes. "Okay, but you're not calling me that outside this room," he said, the playful tone returning to his voice.
I found myself laughing. "I won't...for now."