What the hell… where the fuck did you come from?" Brian's voice cracked, full of panic.
Michelle stepped in closer, crouching right beside him.
"Ahhh sweetheart, didn't I tell you? You can't live without me."
Brian dropped his head, shut his eyes, both hands gripping the sides of the bathtub tight, his upper body rocking back and forth like he was trying to break free. Then he shouted,
"Get the fuck out of my head! You're not real, you're not real, YOU'RE NOT FUCKING REAL!!!"
His mom came running, shaking the bathroom door, but it was locked. Brian opened his eyes, lifted his head—Michelle was gone. He stared at the empty space where she had just been, horrified. His body trembled, words stuck in his mouth like his tongue had frozen.
"BRIAN, OPEN THE DOOR! BRIAN ARE YOU OKAY, MY SON? BRIAN!!" She was pounding the door now.
"I'm fine!" Brian finally forced out, barely.
She stopped banging for a second, breathing hard. "Then why the hell didn't you say that before, huh?!"
"I said I'm fine!"
⸻
When Julia got home, her head was spinning. She kept thinking about how rude and thoughtless she had been to Brian, tearing herself up inside. Lying sideways on her bed, she stared at the tall mirror across the room. From her angle she couldn't see herself, just the reflection of her pink little room. She'd lived in that room for years, but when you stare long enough, you start to notice new details you never saw before.
"Are you okay?" her mom asked again, standing in the doorway, one hand on the frame, the other still holding the knob.
Julia shifted slightly, tilted her head up toward her. "I'm fine, mom."
Her mom didn't look convinced, but didn't push it. "Alright then." She closed the door.
Julia lay there maybe twenty more seconds, then suddenly sat up. "What the hell am I waiting for? You know where he lives, just go apologize, for fuck's sake." She hurried to get dressed. This time she dressed warm—no trying to look cute, no trying to impress him. Just say sorry and leave. But as she pulled on her jeans, she hesitated. I'll never see him again anyway… does an apology even matter?
⸻
Brian had sent his mom away, his daughter was asleep. He sprawled on the couch, flipping through TV channels, nothing sticking. Finally he grabbed a beer, some chips, the ashtray. It was evening—Love would sleep at least two, three more hours. The smoke would be gone before she woke.
He switched to Netflix. And there it was—that show. The one he and Michelle had been watching together, the one left unfinished when she walked out.
"Fuck…" he muttered.
The memory stabbed into him again. Was that earlier vision just a one-time freak-out? Or was he really losing his mind? He pictured it again, so clearly, he could almost hear her voice. Michelle's laugh, her words, Theo's dead body flashing in his mind—it made his stomach twist with terror. How the fuck did I even do it? The thought of getting caught made his chest cave in.
And then—the doorbell rang.
He stubbed out his cigarette and opened the door. Julia stood there. Déjà vu. Just like three days ago.
"Hi, it's me again, hahaha…" She gave a fake little laugh, embarrassed. Her face red from the cold and from shame.
"Welcome," Brian said, still confused.
"Thanks." She smiled awkwardly. He stepped aside, gesturing her in.
"No no, it's fine. I just wanted to say sorry—for being such an asshole this morning."
Brian let his eyes run up and down her quickly, pretending not to. Pretty girl.
Then an ugly thought crept in—bet she'd be nice to fuck.
No. Stop it. Haven't you learned anything, Brian? he scolded himself inside.
"Uh, I mean, I already said sorry, right?" Julia said, breaking his silence.
He shook himself back. "No, no, it's fine. But please, come in."
"Alright then." She stepped inside.
⸻
As Julia walked toward the living room, Brian watched her from behind.
"Yeah yeah, you'll never learn, Brian Easton," came a voice from the side.
He turned—Michelle, again, smirking at him.
"If you don't wanna look crazy, just talk to me in your head. I can hear you anyway. I'm stuck in there."
"Get the fuck out. Out of my head."
Michelle only grinned, sitting on the kitchen counter, staring at him.
"I didn't know you drank," Julia called from the living room.
"Stop staring at me, dumbass. The love of your life just walked through your door. Twice. Don't blow it," Michelle teased.
Brian inhaled deep and stepped into the room. "I drink sometimes. You want one? Beer, whiskey, vodka, wine—whatever you like."
Julia shook her head. "No, thanks. Really, I just came to apologize."
She sat down on the single armchair, still bundled in her coat and beanie, hands tucked under her thighs like she was freezing. Strands of brown hair spilled from under the hat. Her thick pink socks stretched over black leggings, resting shyly on the carpet.
"It's really not a big deal," Brian said.
"Bullshit. If it wasn't a big deal you wouldn't have been so pissed all day," Michelle sneered, now sitting in the armchair beside Julia.
You. Shut the fuck up before I lose it. Brian snapped inside. Michelle just raised her brows—sure, sure.
Julia spoke gently. "No, it was. I felt so guilty. Especially someone like you, who's been through so much lately… you deserved better from me. At least an apology."
"Thanks. Want coffee? Warm you up?"
"I walked here, that's why I'm cold."
"Didn't your car come back from the shop?"
"It did, but my twin took it. She needed it." Julia made a little hand gesture like you know how it is. They both laughed.
Brian went to make coffee. And that's when Love crawled out, hair messy, eyes wide from just waking up.
"Awwww, and who's this?" Julia exclaimed, surprised and smiling.
From the kitchen Brian grinned. "Why'd you wake up, baby girl?" he called to his daughter.
Love blinked, half-asleep, staring at Julia. Then she closed her eyes again, laying her head on Julia's shoulder. She wasn't fully asleep, but she was so tired her eyes opened and closed lazily. Julia rocked her gently, humming a tune.
"She thought she (julia) was me," Michelle mocked suddenly.
Brian froze, coffee in hand. She was there again.
"When will you leave me the fuck alone?!" Brian screamed inside his skull.
Michelle laughed. "Haha. Do you really think that's up to me? I'm in your head, baby. You're still an idiot." She sat on a kitchen chair now, smoking.
Brian gritted his teeth, staring at Julia while he spoke to Michelle in his head. "You already fucked up my life once! Seeing you here doesn't just drive me crazy—it makes me angry. And when I get angry, you know what happens. I hurt people. I could even—"
"—kill them," Michelle cut in, smirking.
Brian took a sharp breath and carried the coffee to the living room. Julia was still rocking Love. "Shhh…" she hushed him when he came close, smiling.
Brian set the mugs down gently, then leaned closer to look at his daughter. Eyes closed. Asleep. He was about to lift her when Julia's scent hit him—sweet, intoxicating, almost heavenly. Her blue eyes shone under the dim light, and for a second Brian just stared. Then he shook himself, scooped up Love and whispered, I'll be right back. He carried her upstairs and laid her in the crib.
⸻
Back downstairs, Brian and Julia sipped their coffee and talked. The warmth of the house had loosened Julia up—her shy awkwardness gone. She chatted about herself, asked Brian about him, listened intently.
As she spoke, Brian caught himself staring, thinking, What the fuck is happening to me? Her presence felt good. For the first time since Michelle's death, he wasn't consumed by her ghost.
"Hahaha, yeah. Then Maria came and actually beat him up," Julia laughed.
"Maria—that's your twin, right?"
"Yeah, yeah."
"So there's another one of you out there? Another beautiful one?" Brian teased, his first attempt at flirting.
Julia blinked, surprised, but her eyes lit up. "Haha, thank you. But we don't really look that much alike. We're identical twins though." She gripped her coffee tighter.
"Even better," Brian said with a smile.
Julia dropped her gaze, smiling shyly.
"…I should go, it's late," she said, though the smile lingered.
"I'll give you a ride," Brian said, starting to rise.
"No no, your daughter's sleeping. Don't bother." Julia stood, and he followed her to the door.
"I didn't know you had a daughter," she said, slipping on her coat.
"There's a lot you don't know about me, Julia Cassady," Brian replied with a grin.
"Uh—um—" Julia stammered, embarrassed. Brian chuckled, which made her laugh too.
They stood at the door, chatting and giggling.
"Maybe we could… hang out sometime?" Julia asked, her voice nervous but hopeful.
Brian froze. He hadn't expected that. He looked into her eyes, and every second he stayed silent the air grew more tense.
"No. But it's not becau—"
"No?" Julia cut in, blushing hard.
"No, because I don't feel ready for a relationship right now. You know what I've been through. It's not that I don't find you attractive—I really do—"
"No no, I get it. Really. Just… please accept my apology for earlier."
"You didn't even need to say it. Thank you, though." Brian smiled at her.
Julia nodded, opened the door and stepped out. She walked away, leaving Brian standing there, watching her go.
I'm a murderer. I'm a freak. An obsessive piece of shit. I don't deserve someone as pure as you. I'd only ruin you. I'm sorry, Julia. We're not meant for each other.
"Yes," Michelle whispered, appearing again. "You are all of those things."